Easy Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese Recipe That’s Simply Magical

Jamie Oliver’s mac and cheese represents culinary comfort at its finest, transforming humble ingredients into a creamy, irresistible dish.

Passionate home cooks appreciate this recipe’s simplicity and depth of flavor.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes to an extraordinary dining experience that transcends ordinary pasta preparations.

Rich, velvety cheese blends seamlessly with tender pasta, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Subtle hints of garlic and aromatic herbs elevate this classic comfort food beyond traditional expectations.

The strategic combination of ingredients ensures a harmonious balance that delights taste buds and warms hearts.

Professional chefs and home cooks celebrate this mac and cheese as a testament to culinary creativity: prepare to be amazed.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese Is a Comfort Classic

• Amplify Flavor Complexity: Jamie Oliver's mac and cheese transforms a classic comfort dish by introducing unexpected ingredients like garlic, fresh tomatoes, and thyme. These elements create a multi-layered taste experience that elevates the traditional recipe beyond basic cheese and pasta.
• Texture Sensation Upgrade: The recipe delivers incredible textural contrast with crispy golden breadcrumb topping, tender pasta, creamy sauce, and optional crunchy bacon bits. Each bite promises a delightful mix of smoothness and crispiness that keeps your palate engaged.
• Quick Culinary Adventure: This recipe offers impressive gourmet results without demanding professional cooking skills. With straightforward steps and common ingredients, home cooks can achieve restaurant-quality mac and cheese in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe provides flexibility for personal preferences by allowing optional additions like Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, or bacon. Cooks can easily adapt the dish to suit different tastes, making it an incredibly versatile and crowd-friendly meal.

Key Ingredients for Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

Main Ingredients:

• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy sauce.
• Butter: Creates rich base for roux and adds smooth texture.
• Milk: Essential liquid for creating smooth, creamy sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese providing deep, tangy flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth to the cheese blend.

• Garlic: Provides aromatic base with gentle, warm undertones.
• Bay Leaves: Offers subtle herbal background notes to sauce.
• Thyme Leaves: Fresh herb adding earthy, slightly minty flavor.
• Tomatoes: Adds fresh, slightly acidic brightness to dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Optional ingredient for deep umami complexity.
• Nutmeg: Warm, subtle spice complementing cheese sauce.

• Flour: Crucial for creating smooth, thick roux.
• Olive Oil: Used for toasting breadcrumbs and adding richness.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy, golden topping for texture.
• Bacon: Optional protein topping for extra savory element.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the entire dish.

Putting Together Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prep Garlic

Peel and slice garlic into tiny, delicate pieces for maximum flavor infusion.

Step 2: Create Magical Roux

In a large ovenproof saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour and stir until a smooth paste forms. Toss in garlic slices and cook until they turn a beautiful golden color.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Sauce

Add 2 bay leaves and gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a soft simmer.

Step 4: Cook Perfect Pasta

Boil macaroni in salted water following package instructions until al dente.

Step 5: Prepare Flavor Boosters

• Roughly chop 2 tomatoes and season with salt and pepper
• Grate Cheddar cheese
• Grate Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Combine Delicious Elements

Drain pasta and mix into the sauce. Stir in grated cheeses, chopped tomatoes, and half of the fresh thyme leaves. Optional: Add Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of nutmeg for extra depth.

Step 7: Fine-Tune Flavors

Taste and adjust seasoning. If the mixture seems too thick, splash in a bit of water to reach desired consistency.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 220°C/425°F for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Step 9: Create Crispy Topping

While baking, toast breadcrumbs with olive oil and remaining thyme leaves until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 10: Add Final Touch

Sprinkle crispy diced bacon over the top just before serving for an extra flavor punch.

Pro Tips for Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Sprinkle Crispy Bacon: Crumble smoky bacon on top for an indulgent flavor explosion that transforms ordinary mac and cheese.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Blend multiple cheeses like sharp cheddar and parmesan to create complex, mouthwatering depth.
• Toast Breadcrumbs Carefully: Golden-brown crumbs add delightful crunch and textural contrast to the creamy base.
• Spike with Secret Seasonings: Dash of Worcestershire sauce and hint of nutmeg elevate the entire dish's taste profile.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust liquid sparingly to maintain that perfect, silky smooth texture everyone craves.

Preserving Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Freezer Bags Method: Transfer cooled mac and cheese into heavy-duty freezer bags for optimal long-term storage. Press out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor integrity. Label each bag with the date and contents to track freshness and prevent confusion.
• Portion Control Method: Divide leftover mac and cheese into individual serving sizes before refrigerating or freezing. Use small containers or silicone muffin molds for easy reheating and convenient meal prep. Smaller portions thaw faster and maintain better texture when rewarmed.
• Moisture Preservation Method: Add a tablespoon of fresh milk or cream when reheating to restore the original creamy consistency. Stir gently during reheating to distribute heat evenly and prevent sauce separation.

Alternative Versions of Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add jalapeños, diced green chilies, and swap Cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Mix in ground cumin and chili powder for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Replace tomatoes with roasted red peppers, add crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle dried oregano. Include chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Smoky Seafood Edition: Incorporate smoked salmon pieces or cooked shrimp into the mac and cheese. Use smoked Gouda instead of Cheddar and garnish with fresh dill for an elegant seafood twist.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Mix in cooked ground turkey or chicken, swap regular breadcrumbs with crushed protein crackers, and add nutritional yeast for extra protein and cheesy flavor.

Reflections on Jamie Oliver’s Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese becomes an adventure with Jamie Oliver’s culinary magic, blending classic comfort with gourmet sophistication.

Rich, creamy sauce envelops perfectly cooked pasta, creating an irresistible harmony of textures and flavors.

Fragrant garlic whispers complexity while melted cheeses embrace each macaroni strand.

Roasted tomatoes add unexpected brightness, challenging traditional expectations of this beloved dish.

Mediterranean herbs dance through each delectable bite, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Crisp breadcrumb and bacon toppings provide delightful crunch, making this recipe an instant classic that guarantees smiles around your dinner table.

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Jamie Oliver Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy mac and cheese by Jamie Oliver brings comfort straight from Italy’s kitchen. Rich cheese sauce and perfectly cooked pasta create a luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 600 g (21.16 ounces) dried macaroni
• 1 litre (4.22 cups) semi-skimmed milk
• 150 g (5.29 ounces) Cheddar cheese
• 100 g (3.53 ounces) Parmesan cheese
• 8 tomatoes

Cheese and Dairy Supporting Ingredients:

• 45 g (1.59 ounces) butter
• 3 heaped tablespoons plain flour
• 10 cloves of garlic

Herbs, Seasonings, and Optional Ingredients:

• 6 bay leaves
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs
• Olive oil
• 2 splashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 whole nutmeg, for grating
• Diced Cooked Bacon (optional)

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Instructions

1. Carefully peel and mince the garlic into delicate, uniform slivers to ensure even flavor distribution throughout the dish.
2. Create a classic roux by gently melting butter in a large ovenproof saucepan over low heat, gradually whisking in flour until a smooth, pale paste forms. Introduce the garlic slivers and sauté until they reach a light golden hue.
3. Incorporate bay leaves into the roux, then slowly stream in milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing to a subtle simmer.
4. Cook macaroni in generously salted water (1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts/3.8 liters of water) following package guidelines until al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture.
5. Roughly chop ripe tomatoes, seasoning them with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grate Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses using a fine grater for optimal melting.
6. Drain the macaroni thoroughly and fold into the creamy sauce. Gently stir in the grated cheeses, seasoned tomatoes, and half of the fresh thyme leaves. Optional: enhance depth with a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a whisper of ground nutmeg.
7. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce appears too thick, incorporate a small amount of reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency.
8. Transfer the mixture to a clean ovenproof dish, spreading evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C/425°F for approximately 30 minutes until the top develops a golden, crispy crust.
9. While the dish bakes, prepare the breadcrumb topping by toasting breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil and the remaining thyme leaves, stirring constantly until they turn a rich, golden brown.
10. For an indulgent finish, sprinkle crispy, diced cooked bacon over the top before serving, adding a smoky crunch to the creamy pasta.

Notes

• Slice garlic precisely to unlock its rich, aromatic essence and infuse deep flavor throughout the creamy sauce.
• Develop a smooth roux by whisking flour and butter, creating the perfect foundational texture for mac and cheese.
• Incorporate milk slowly and steadily to prevent unwanted lumps, guaranteeing a silky-smooth sauce.
• Generously salt pasta water to enhance overall seasoning, ensuring flavor penetrates every single bite.
• Grate cheese directly into the sauce for maximum melting potential and seamless integration.
• Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves to introduce an unexpected herbal complexity that elevates the classic comfort dish.
• Craft a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping by toasting them until perfectly crisp and beautifully bronzed.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 564 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg