Caribbean Macaroni Cheese Pie

Submitted by Sharon123

"Macaroni and cheese is incredibly popular in the Caribbean!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 cups dried short cut macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter, plus extra for greasing
• 3 tablespoons white flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon mild prepared mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1⁄2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup peas (optional)
• 3 tablespoons chopped plum tomatoes, canned (or fresh)
• 2⁄3 cup corn kernel (fresh or canned or frozen)
• salt
• pepper
• fresh parsley, chopped (to garnish)

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350*F. Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni until al dente(about 8 minutes). Rinse under cold water and drain.
2. Melt 2 tbls. of the butter in a pan and stir in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce boils and thickens.
3. Stir in the mustard, cinnamon and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook gently, stirring often, until the cheese has melted, then remove from the heat and whisk in the egg. Set aside.
4. Melt the remaining butter in a small fryiing pan and cook the scallions, chopped tomatoes and corn over a gentle heat for 5-10 minutes. Add peas now if using. Season to taste.
5. Tip half of the cooked macaroni into a greased ovenproof dish. Pour over the other half of the cheese sauce and mix well. Then spoon the tomato and corn mix over the macaroni.
6. Stir the remaining macaroni into the remaining cheese sauce, then spread this carefully over the tomato and corn mixture. Top with the rest of the cheese. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Reviews

[Charlotte R.]

Are the kernels meant to be hard still after it's cooked?

 

[angelmother]

wow- with 5 extremely fussy kids to feed this is one of my best find recipes ever! they all love it and it is good for them too.just add a side salad and it works with a tin of tuna thrown in too. delicious!

 

[Karen Elizabeth]

I had saved this recipe, and when I realised I didn't really have anything 'child-friendly' for my Sunday lunch, I whipped out this recipe, and made it quickly before the guests arrived! It was one of the most popular dishes, isn't it amazing how everyone loves macaroni and cheese! And the corn and tomatoes were a colourful, healthy addition! I chose not to use the peas, although I love them, I probably will, the next time. I omitted the egg, since two guests were vegetarian, but don't eat eggs, so I made my own cheese sauce, using yoghurt and milk, but otherwise, the same as yours, Sharon. I'll be making this again very soon, since the family complained that they hardly got any! thanks, Sharon!

 

[mersaydees]

Wonderful dish, thanks, Sharon! Made as directed, except when I made it, the instructions didn't say what to do with the optional peas. I missed adding them to step #4 (made sense to add them with the corn), so I ended up adding them last and "poked" them down under the top layer of macaroni before baking. Made for Vegetarian Recipe Swap #2.

 

[Chef Kate]

This was delicious--I followed the instructions--added just a bit of cayenne. Really good flavor and texture. I think next time, I will add just a bit more tomato and perhaps some diced green pepper. A very good supper, Sharon! Thank you.