Ingredients

Method

For the white sauce:
• 2½ cups milk
• 1 bouquet garni
• 4 T butter
• 4 T flour
• 250 g Woolworths grated cheese (mozzarella, Emmenthal, Cheddar, Gouda, mature Cheddar)
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 500 g macaroni, cooked al dente
• 100 g Woolworths beechwood-smoked ham (optional), cubed
• 80 g Woolworths grated Emmental and Cheddar
• 25 g breadcrumbs
• 2 T butter, melted
• basil pesto, for serving
• baby basil leaves, to garnish

Method

Ingredients

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. To make the white sauce, gently heat the milk and bouquet garni in a saucepan until simmering. Remove from the heat and remove the bouquet garni.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and mix to form a paste.  Cook for 1 minute until it smells nutty. Slowly add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until thick. Add the grated cheese and season to taste.

3. Fold the cooked macaroni and ham (if using) into the sauce. Transfer to an ovenproof dish or divide between individual dishes. Sprinkle over the grated cheese and breadcrumbs and pour over the melted butter. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

4. Serve in warmed bowls, topped with basil pesto and fresh basil. Season to taste.

Photographs and video: Sadiqah Assur-Ismail
Recipes and production: Jacqueline Burgess
Food assistant: Ellah Maepa

Woolworths is committed to collaborating with expert suppliers to create and curate award-worthy dairy. It dominated at the 2023  South African Dairy Championships winning a total of  89 awards across numerous categories. It continues to receive recognition for its diverse range of cheeses, yoghurts, milk, butter, cream and ice cream, cementing its position as the crème de la crème of the dairy world. You’re spoiled for choice with what’s on offer in store and online. 

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