Garlic Herb Mac & Cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   10 min waiting

   • Set the oven to 200°C (400°F).
   • Allow it to preheat while preparing other components.

2. Prepare Garlic and Cilantro

   2 min hands-on

   • Finely chop the garlic cloves.
   • Roughly chop the cilantro leaves.
   • Set aside for later use.

3. Cook the Roux

   8 min hands-on

   • Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat.
   • Add whole wheat flour and whisk continuously until the mixture turns dark golden brown.

4. Infuse Garlic Flavor

   3 min hands-on

   • Add chopped garlic to the roux.
   • Stir for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

5. Create Sauce Base

   3 min hands-on

   • Gradually pour in soymilk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
   • Continue whisking until the mixture thickens into a creamy, smooth sauce.

6. Cook the Pasta

   2 min hands-on6 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta until al dente.
   • Reserve some pasta water before draining.

7. Melt Cheddar Cheese

   2 min hands-on

   • Gradually add grated cheddar cheese to the sauce.
   • Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is velvety.

8. Add Seasonings

   1 min hands-on

   • Stir in hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
   • Mix well to combine.

9. Assemble Pasta and Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Place drained pasta in a large baking dish.
   • Pour cheese sauce over the pasta, adding reserved pasta water to loosen.
   • Stir to coat the pasta evenly.

10. Prepare Crunch Topping

    2 min hands-on

    • Combine breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, remaining garlic, chopped cilantro, and olive oil in a small bowl.
    • Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful topping.

11. Top and Bake

    1 min hands-on20 min waiting

    • Evenly sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the pasta in the baking dish.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the pasta is bubbling.

12. Cool and Serve

    1 min hands-on8 min waiting

    • Remove the baking dish from the oven.
    • Let the mac and cheese cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
    • Cooking tips:
    • For an extra crispy topping, broil the pasta for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
    • If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of soymilk or more pasta water to loosen it before baking.
    • Adjust the spice level by adding more or less hot pepper sauce, depending on your preference.