Green mac and cheese recipe

Green mac and cheese

The perfect comforting supper - this classic mac and cheese has been given a delicious twist with added courgette, broccoli, peas and leek. An easy pasta recipe that makes a marvellous midweek meal.

See method
  • Serves 4
  • 5 mins to prepare and 35 mins to cook
  • 521 calories / serving

  • Freezable

Ingredients

  • 300g frozen peas
  • 250g macaroni
  • 1 leek, trimmed and thickly sliced
  • ½ head broccoli, stalk trimmed and diced into 1cm cubes, top broken into small florets
  • 1 courgette, half coarsely grated, half chunkily diced
  • 4 tbsp pesto
  • 500g fresh cheese sauce
  • 2 tbsp grated vegetarian hard cheese or Parmesan

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Each serving contains

Energy
2195kJ 521.0kcal
26%
Fat
18g
medium26%
Saturates
8g
high42%
Salt
1.8g
medium30%
Sugars
13g
low15%

of the Reference intake

Carbohydrate 70.0gProtein 23.6gFibre 9.8g

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Boil the kettle. Put half the peas in a heatproof bowl and pour over some freshly boiled water; set aside to defrost.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the macaroni following the packet instructions, adding the leek and broccoli for the final 2 mins of cooking time.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the remaining frozen peas and the diced courgette. Leave to stand for 1 min, then drain.
  4. Meanwhile, drain the defrosted peas and transfer to a mixing bowl along with the pesto. Mash the peas with the pesto using a potato masher, until just combined. Pour over the cheese sauce, then add the grated courgette; mix well.
  5. Stir in the macaroni mixture, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated in the cheesy sauce. Transfer to a large baking dish and scatter over the cheese. Bake for 20 mins, or until bubbling and golden.
  • Freezing and defrosting guidelines

    Once the dish has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container, seal and freeze for up to 1-3 months. To serve, defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight before reheating. Loosely cover with foil and bake until dish is thoroughly heated through. Reheat until piping hot.

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