A fusion comfort food classic! Creamy, cheesy macaroni meets the bold, aromatic spices of Indian curry for a unique and delicious twist on mac and cheese.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
Stir in the salt, pepper, turmeric powder, curry powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
Adjust the amount of curry powder and cayenne pepper to your taste. For a creamier mac and cheese, use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream. Try adding vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition. For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.[web_stories title="true" excerpt="false" author="false" date="false" archive_link="true" archive_link_label="" circle_size="150" sharp_corners="false" image_alignment="left" number_of_columns="1" number_of_stories="5" order="DESC" orderby="post_title" view="circles" /][web_stories title="true" excerpt="false" author="false" date="false" archive_link="true" archive_link_label="" circle_size="150" sharp_corners="false" image_alignment="left" number_of_columns="1" number_of_stories="5" order="DESC" orderby="post_title" view="circles" /]Try adding other leafy greens like radish tops or beet greens. Use stale bread to make croutons for serving. This pesto is great on pasta, toast, or as a dip for veggies.