Today I made baked macaroni with
vegetables. It is one of the most easiest recipes which can be served as a side
dish as well as a main dish. Whenever I ask my son what does he want for
breakfast, lunch, or dinner, without much delay the answer is the same every
time ‘Macaroni or Pasta or Pizza’. I just don't understand the why kids are so fascinated
with such kind of food. In order to please him (well, I agree to bribe
him seems more appropriate here) to study well for his upcoming term exams, I
decided to make a different and healthier version of macaroni. This baked macaroni
dish has all the delightful ingredients to make it one of your favorite: lots
of veggies, herbs and the yummy cheesy white sauce. What
I love most about it is that it is healthy as well as delicious at the same
time. It is a perfect dish for kids lunch box as it is a complete meal in
itself.
Ingredients:-
- 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup boiled macaroni
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- ½ cup water
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tsp black pepper pdr
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- salt to taste
- few coriander leaves (chopped)
- cheddar cheese for topping (grated)
Method:-
- Heat butter in a saucepan.
- Add all purpose flour and saute for a minute.
- Switch off the flame and add salt, pepper pdr, oregano, basil, milk and water.
- Mix well and keep on flame. Stir for a minute and add cheese.
- Cook till well mixed. The consistency of sauce should not be thick, it should be like a sauce.
- Switch off as soon as it starts to boil.
- Add frozen vegetables, macaroni, coriander leaves and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
- Spread cheddar cheese on top.
- Pre-heat the oven for 180 degrees Celsius.
- Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.
Notes:-
- You may add little tomato sauce to the macaroni if you like.
- You may use boiled vegetables instead of frozen ones (green peas, potatoes, cauliflower, carrot, broad beans, corn etc)
- For the non-veg version, marinate chicken 2-3 chicken breast, with salt, pepper pdr, mustard pdr / paste, wostershire sauce and vinegar. Pan fry in 2 tbsp oil for 10 - 12 minutes, You may either shred the chicken or cut into chunks as per your liking.. Add the chicken to the macaroni.
Happy Cooking!!
Sending this entry to :- Pari's Only Food For Pregnancy Event and Nayna's Lets Cook With- Cheese Event and Amrita's Friends Forever Event and Kids Delight "After School Bites" & Valli's Announcement Page and Whats with my Cuppa 2 & Nupur's Home Page and Cutchi Kitchen's Giveaway
