Patrick Oconnell
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish around the world, and it is especially loved in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, where it is considered a comfort food. Jamaican cooks put their own spin on the classic recipe, adding extra spices and ingredients to create an explosion of flavour. This version of the well-loved dish is easy to make and is typically served as a main dish or as a side to complement other foods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish Name | Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni Pie, Caribbean Macaroni Bake, Jamaican Jerk Mac and Cheese |
| Region | Caribbean, Jamaica, Trinidad |
| Type of Dish | Comfort food, side dish |
| Ingredients | Macaroni, cheese, milk, eggs, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, salt, pepper, red chili flakes, nutmeg, thyme, Scotch Bonnet pepper, dry mustard, cayenne, evaporated milk |
| Preparation | Boil macaroni, add sauce, pour into baking dish, sprinkle cheese, bake |
| Baking Instructions | Preheat oven to 350°F, bake covered for 15-30 minutes, remove cover and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown |
| Serving Instructions | Let it cool/set for 5-10 minutes before serving, can be sliced and topped with gravy |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the pasta
To prepare the pasta, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water until it tastes like seawater. You can also add diced onions, pepper, and other seasonings to the water to infuse the pasta with extra flavour. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it according to the package directions, being careful not to overcook it. For al dente pasta, which is slightly tender but still firm, cook the pasta for about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time.
Once the pasta is cooked to your desired doneness, drain it in a colander and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. It is important to drain the pasta thoroughly to prevent a watery dish. At this stage, you can also add additional ingredients such as shredded cheese, eggs, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to the pasta and mix well.
The pasta is now ready to be combined with the cheese sauce and baked to perfection. Remember to adjust the recipe to your taste preferences and get creative with your choice of pasta and seasonings!
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Making the cheese sauce
To make the cheese sauce, start by preparing a roux. To do this, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour. Then, slowly pour in some milk and heat the mixture. You can add some Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour. When the mixture is hot, sprinkle in the shredded cheese and stir until it is melted. You can use cheddar cheese, or a mix of different cheeses. If you want to add some spice, include some red chilli flakes or jerk seasoning. You could also add some nutmeg and thyme for extra flavour.
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Adding spices and ingredients
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish in Jamaica, with cooks putting their own spin on the classic recipe. Jamaican cooks add extra ingredients and spices to give the dish an extra punch of flavour.
When preparing the pasta, it is important to salt the water so that it tastes like seawater. This ensures that the pasta is well-seasoned and full of flavour. You can also add diced onion, pepper, and salt to the water, cooking the macaroni according to the package instructions.
For a truly Jamaican twist, you can add some spicy ingredients. Jamaican jerk seasoning can be added to the cheese sauce to give it an extra kick. You can also include red chilli flakes, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper to turn up the heat. If you like your food spicy, you can add more jerk seasoning to suit your palate.
For a creamier sauce, you can create a roux by whisking butter and flour in a saucepan before slowly adding milk. You can then sprinkle in the cheese and melt it into the egg mixture to create a smooth and rich sauce.
To finish the dish, liberally sprinkle shredded cheese over the macaroni before baking. This will create a golden, bubbly, and crunchy topping. You can also add ingredients like crunchy bagels or pancetta for added texture and flavour.
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Baking the dish
Baked macaroni and cheese is a popular dish in Jamaica, with cooks putting their own spin on the classic recipe. This includes adding extra spices, such as cayenne, nutmeg, thyme, and Scotch Bonnet pepper.
To bake Jamaican macaroni and cheese, first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, prepare your macaroni according to the package directions, ensuring it is slightly undercooked. Drain the water and transfer the macaroni to a large mixing bowl. Next, add your sauce to the pasta and blend. You can make a cheese sauce by melting cheese into an egg mixture on the stove before baking, or by creating a roux with butter, flour, and milk, and then adding cheese to melt. You can also add diced onion, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to the sauce. Pour the cheesy pasta into an oven-ready dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, ensuring the entire dish is covered. You can also add crunchy bagels or pancetta at this stage. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown. Allow the dish to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
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Serving and storing
Your Jamaican macaroni and cheese should be served hot. It is recommended to let the dish cool for about 5–10 minutes before serving. You can also prepare this meal ahead of time and store it in the fridge to thaw overnight. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat and enjoy.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate.
For longer storage, you can freeze leftovers. It is best to freeze individual portions in separate freezer-safe containers. Frozen macaroni and cheese can be stored for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it gently.
This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, as the recipe yields a generous amount. It can be a main course or a side dish, depending on your preference.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×16" baking tray. Set aside.
Elbow macaroni, cheese, milk, eggs, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion, and optionally hot sauce or red chilli flakes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cook pasta until al dente (macaroni should be undercooked by 1-2 minutes).
Drain the cooked macaroni and mix with shredded cheese. Pour the macaroni mixture into a baking dish and top with more shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
