Witches Cauldron Mac and Cheese with Pesto, Green Veg and Herby Crumb

Our Witches Cauldron Mac and Cheese is a delicious veggie option that makes it easy to eat more veg in your diet and try something new!

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 servings 3 servings 4 servings
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 40 gr mature cheddar cheese
  • 25 gr panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 sachet mixed herbs
  • 180 gr macaroni
  • 150 gr creme fraiche
  • 15 gr vegetable stock paste
  • 40 gr baby spinach
  • 40 gr grated hard italian style cheese
  • 32 gr fresh pesto
  • 120 gr peas
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for the crumb
  • 20 gr butter
  • 1.5 tbsp plain flour
  • 200 ml water for the sauce
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 60 gr mature cheddar cheese
  • 50 gr panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 sachet mixed herbs
  • 270 gr macaroni
  • 225 gr creme fraiche
  • 25 gr vegetable stock paste
  • 60 gr baby spinach
  • 60 gr grated hard italian style cheese
  • 48 gr fresh pesto
  • 180 gr peas
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for the crumb
  • 30 gr butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 300 ml water for the sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 80 gr mature cheddar cheese
  • 50 gr panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 sachets mixed herbs
  • 360 gr macaroni
  • 300 gr creme fraiche
  • 30 gr vegetable stock paste
  • 80 gr baby spinach
  • 80 gr grated hard italian style cheese
  • 64 gr fresh pesto
  • 240 gr peas
  • 4 tbsp olive oil for the crumb
  • 40 gr butter
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 400 ml water for the sauce

Instructions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with 1/2 tsp salt for the macaroni. 
    Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Grate the cheese.
    In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, mixed herbs and the olive oil for the crumb (see pantry for amount). Set the crumb aside.
  2. When your pan of water is boiling, stir in the macaroni and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.
    Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop it sticking together.
  3. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Melt in the butter (see pantry for amount).
    Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 min, then stir in the flour (see pantry for amount) and cook until it forms a paste, 1-2 mins - you've made a roux!
    Stir in the water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) a little at a time, followed by the creme fraiche and vegetable stock paste.
    Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring until thickened, 2-3 mins.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to high.
    Once the sauce has thickened, add the spinach to the pan a handful at a time until wilted and piping hot, 1-2 mins.
    Remove from the heat, then stir through the hard Italian style cheese, Cheddar, pesto, peas and cooked macaroni.
    Add a splash of water if it's a little thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Transfer the creamy pasta to an ovenproof dish and top evenly with the herby crumb.
    Place your mac and cheese on a baking tray and grill until golden, 4-5 mins.
  6. Share your witches cauldron mac and cheese between your plates.
    Enjoy!