Ahhhh… that strange period between Christmas and NYE. I’m sure we’ve all experienced it, feeling far too worn out to cook, friends & family are still doing their rounds, oh – and you have far too much leftover cheese to know what to do with! We’ve got you covered…
This festive mac and cheese is an absolute staple in the Savery household. We’ve combined a classic pasta dish, with leftover Christmas staples including that random bit of brie in the back of the fridge, leftover herbs, as well as those half-used jars of chutney and cranberry sauce.
What’s more, you can prepare this dish well ahead of time, and serve it family style – so it really is the perfect dish to make when you’re feeding a crowd. Read on for the full recipe.
Method
Follow these steps to make our Festive Mac and Cheese
Boil your chosen pasta according to package instructions, but take away a minute or two from the recommended cooking time (the pasta should be al dente, as it will finish cooking in the sauce!). Make sure to salt the water for added flavour. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes to create a roux. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once the mixture thickens, add the Dijon mustard, and wholegrain mustard, before adding the smoked paprika and turmeric for colour.
Finely grate or chop your leftover cheese scraps and add them to your roux. Don’t forget to leave some for the topping! In this recipe, we used aged cheddar, truffle cheddar, and creamy brie, but stilton and goats cheese would also work well! Stir this into your sauce until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Split the cooked pasta between your chosen baking dishes before topping it with your cheese sauce. Give everything a quick stir to ensure each bit of pasta is evenly coated. Finally, top your Christmas mac and cheese with a few teaspoons of chutney or cranberry sauce, the leftover cheese, black pepper, and a sprinkling of your chosen festive herbs.
Top tip: add a golden crunch by adding a breadcrumb topping to your mac and cheese after adding the additional cheese, chutney, and herbs.
Bake your festive mac and cheese at 200°C for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbling. Serve your mac and cheese in the dish it has been baked in, either on its own or with a simple side salad.
What Else Can You Add To Christmas Mac & Cheese?
Plain mac and cheese is the perfect base for experimenting with all sorts of flavours. Try adding the following to your festive mac and cheese:
- Festive Herbs: Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh sage or thyme to the cheese sauce for even more of a herby kick.
- Caramelised Onion: Sauté thinly sliced onions until caramelised and mix them into the mac and cheese sauce before baking. You could also incorporate caramelised onion chutney into the topping.
- Bacon & Chestnuts: Crisp up some bacon and finely chopped chestnuts and sprinkle it over the top before baking.
Festive Tips & Tricks From Savery Grazing
We hope this creamy Christmassy mac and cheese goes down a treat over Boxing Day! Let us know what you think in the comments below.
If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy our Brie & Cranberry Sausage Rolls, or Festive Baked Camembert. For more festive foodie inspiration, keep up to date with us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!
Related Questions
What Are the Best Cheeses For Mac & Cheese?
When making your mac and cheese, we would recommend including some cheddar and brie cheese (after all, this is a festive mac and cheese!). However, as this recipe is perfect for using leftovers, you really can use any cheese you have laying around. The recipe would also work with:
- Mozzarella
- Flavoured cheddar
- Stilton (although this will alter the overall flavour slightly!)
- Parmesan
- Gruyere
- Wensleydale (cranberry Wensleydale would add a lovely fruity flavour)
- Gouda
- Smoked cheese
What Chutney Can I Use in This Recipe/
Anything really! When making this recipe, we topped half of the mac and cheese with cranberry sauce, and the other half with fig and honey chutney. Just keep in mind which flavours work best together. For example, a lovely smoked cheese would work well with a chilli jam, whilst a cheese sauce made with cranberry Wensleydale would work well with cranberry sauce on top.
If you’re unsure which type of chutney would work well with your cheese leftovers, read one of our other helpful articles: Your Complete Cheese & Chutney Pairing Guide
For those of you who like to experiment by making your own, read our Nectarine & Date Chutney Recipe
What Can I Serve With Festive Mac & Cheese?
We opted to serve our Christmas mac and cheese with a simple side salad, but you can also serve the dish with roasted vegetables, coleslaw, grilled chicken, or leftover turkey. We have recipes for Festive Brussel Sprouts as well as 23 Winter Salad Ideas if you’re still stuck!
Does Mac & Cheese Keep Well?
Yes, mac and cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure it’s kept in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. When reheating, a splash of milk can help restore its creamy consistency. If you can, store your mac and cheese before cooking, as this prevents it from drying out at all, and you can simply cook at the time of serving.
For more information, read this article: How To Wrap & Store Your Cheese
Can I Prepare This Dish in Advance?
Yes, you can – which is why it is perfect for the busy Christmas period! You can assemble the mac and cheese in the baking dishes and refrigerate it overnight. Just pop it in the oven on the day and serve bubbling hot.
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