• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Justine Pattison

Justine Pattison

Everyday inspiration in the kitchen

  • Home
  • About
    • About Justine
    • Meet the team
    • In the Test Kitchen
  • Writing
    • Cookery writing
    • Books
  • TV, Video & Film
    • TV, video and film
    • Media
  • Food styling
  • Contact

Healthier Macaroni Cheese

Print Recipe
My delicious, creamy-tasting macaroni cheese contains fewer calories than a traditional recipe and is very easy to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 200 g dried macaroni
  • 25 g butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 600 ml semi-skimmed milk
  • 75 g half-fat mature Cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • 3 tomatoes, sliced
  • flaked sea salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Half fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the macaroni, return to the boil and cook for 10-12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, stirring occasionally until tender.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Put the butter, flour and milk in a non-stick saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously with a silicone whisk. (Using a silicone covered whisk will prevent your pan becoming scatched.)
  • Cook for 3 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and smooth, stirring continuously. Add roughly two-thirds of the cheese and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, while stirring, and add a little more seasoning if necessary. Preheat the grill to its hottest setting.
  • Drain the pasta in a colander and return to the pan. Gently stir in the hot cheese sauce until thoroughly combined. Tip the macaroni cheese mixture into a warmed shallow flameproof dish (a lasagne dish is ideal) and spread to the corners.
  • Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese and add a couple of twists of ground black pepper. Cook under the grill for 3-5 minutes or until the tomatoes are hot and the cheese is lightly browned.

Notes

Freeze the cooled and assembled macaroni cheese in individual microwave and freezer-proof containers for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave on  until piping hot throughout.
To warm your dish, simply put in the sink and fill with very hot water from the tap or just-boiled water from the kettle. Leave for 3-5 minutes. Drain carefully and dry briefly before adding the pasta and sauce.
 

More recipes like this

Mexican Breakfast

Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

vegetarian bolognese

Slow Cooker Veggie Bolognese

My gooey microwave 'baked' camembert is featured i My gooey microwave 'baked' camembert is featured in @dailymailweekend today, along with scrambled eggs, warm fruit compote and pitta bread pizzas - all taken from Ping!⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#microwaverecipes #microwave #Ping! #weekendmeals #weekendrecipes
My latest book – PING! – is published today.⁠
⁠
It’s a collection of over 100 energy-saving, family-friendly recipes cooked using just a microwave oven. ⁠
⁠
It’s a bit of departure from my recent books, but one I hope you'll find useful – and perhaps intriguing too. There's something fascinating about cooking in the microwave and, even though I’ve been using them for many years, I was surprised by the huge variety of different - and very delicious - dishes that could be cooked successfully using microwave power alone. Everything from easy curries and 'casseroles', to lasagne, barbecue-style chicken, spicy rice, banoffee pie, sticky toffee pudding, rich chocolate brownie and lemon drizzle cake! ⁠
⁠
If you do fancy taking a peak at Ping!, you can find it in your local bookshop, online and via the link in my bio.⁠
⁠
#microwaverecipes #microwavemagic #quickandeasymeals #familymeals #energysaving #tastyinminutes #microwavecuisine #convenientcooking #microwaverecipebook #justinepattison⁠
⁠
For a healthy midweek meal, why not try a simple v For a healthy midweek meal, why not try a simple veggie bolognese? Taken from my slow cooker book, this one makes four really generous servings or six smaller portions. It freezes very well and can be used for a lasagne, pasta bake or base for veggie cottage pie. Perfect if you like to go meat-free or simply fancy a change.⁠
⁠
Click in the link in my bio to take you to the recipe.⁠
⁠
#slowcooker #healthymidweekmeals #meatfreerecipes ⁠
#veggiebolognese #slowcookerecipes #freezerfriendlymeals⁠
Slow cooker pulled pork makes an easy meal for ove Slow cooker pulled pork makes an easy meal for over the weekend. My version is rich and spicy - perfect for piling into warmed wraps with pink pickled onions, avocado, soured cream and shredded lettuce. ⁠
⁠
You can find the recipe by clicking on the link in my bio. ⁠
⁠
#slowcookerpulledpork #justinepattisonrecipes #weekendcooking⁠
#easyrecipes #spicypulledpork⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
Thinking you'd like something different for breakf Thinking you'd like something different for breakfast? These fruity layered yoghurt pots can be made with fresh or frozen berries and prepped ahead. Add a small handful of nuts or some granola for extra crunch.⁠
⁠
Click on the link in my bio for the recipe.⁠
⁠
#healthybreakfast #crushedberryyoghurt #justinepattisonrecipe #yoghurtbreakfast #mealprep
Load More… Follow Justine on Instagram
  • Mail

Copyright © 2017–2025 · Justine Pattison · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions