Macaroni Cheese topped with a Chorizo Crumb
Creamy macaroni cheese, rich with extra mature cheddar, baked to perfection.  It’s topped with a crispy, golden chorizo crumb that adds a smoky, spicy kick.  This dish is a delicious twist on a classic comfort food, perfect for any occasion.  
Servings: 4 yield(s)
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Ingredients
    For the cheese sauce
  • 40 g butter
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 900 ml milk (warm)
  • 150 g extra mature Cheddar (grated)
  • 150 g Red Leceister (grated)
  • 1 tsp English mustard
  • 1 splash of Worcestershire Sauce
  • sea salt and black pepper (freshly ground)
    • For the macaroni
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 4 shallots (peeled & finely sliced)
  • 400 g macaroni (cooked as per packet instructions)
  • 15 cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 splash of milk
    • For the Chorizo Crumb
  • 75 g chorizo
  • 15 g breadcrumbs
  • 10 g toasted flaked almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C/Gas 6.
  2. For the cheese sauce, melt the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 3-4 minutes (don’t let the mixture turn brown).
  3. Add a splash of milk to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Continue to heat and stir, gradually add more milk until a smooth sauce has formed. Add any of the remaining milk and bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the cheddar & Red Leicester, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and season to taste.
  5. For the pasta, melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the cooked macaroni, cherry tomatoes and the pre-prepared cheese sauce. You may need to add a little more milk to loosen the sauce if it is too thick. The sauce should coat the macaroni not drown it. Pour the macaroni into an oven proof dish.
  6. For the chorizo crumb, heat a frying pan to a medium heat and add the chorizo. Cook until it releases oil and begins to crisp.
  7. Now add the chorizo and its oil to a food processor with the breadcrumbs, almonds, zest and olive oil and blitz until you have a crumb, sprinkle over the macaroni cheese.
  8. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the bread crumbs are golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling. Enjoy!