4.5 from 24 votes
Caprese Mac and Cheese
Caprese mac and cheese is the family classic given a fresh twist with delicious Caprese flavours. Fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella take it up a notch.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6
Calories: 480 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
for the sauce
- 100 g (½ cup) butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups milk
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1½ cups cheddar grated
- salt & pepper to taste
for the tomato layer
- 400 g (14oz) whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
for the mac and cheese
- 500 g (1lb) pasta of your choice cooked + 1 cup of cooking water reserved
- 8 ripe tomatoes sliced into 1/2 cm slices
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1½ cups fior di latte or other mozzarella of your choice
Instructions
- To make the sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan then add the flour and whisk to make a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until it has been fully incorporated.
- Turn the heat down, add the nutmeg and other spices and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Turn down the heat then add the cheese, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese has melted.
- Mix the sauce with the pasta and add a little of the cooking water should the sauce be too thick.
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
- To make the tomato layer, add the salt and sugar to the tomatoes and blend with a stick blender until smooth. Pour in the bottom of an oven-proof dish.
- Place half of the pasta in the dish on top of the tomatoes then top with half of the tomato slices and cheese. Dollop on the basil pesto.
- Top with the remaining pasta.
- Top with the remaining tomatoes and cheese then place in the oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes are roasted slightly and the cheese has melted and is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
480kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Cholesterol
51mg
(17%)
Sodium
1009mg
(42%)
Potassium
732mg
(21%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
2490IU
(50%)
Vitamin C
28.6mg
(32%)
Calcium
579mg
(58%)
Iron
2.3mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 480kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 51mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 1009mg | 42% |
| Potassium | 732mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 2490IU | 50% |
| Vitamin C | 28.6mg | 32% |
| Calcium | 579mg | 58% |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.