Weeknight dinners just got even easier with our Curry Mac and Cheese recipe, a delightful twist on traditional mac and cheese. Simply stir curry powder into the base sauce for deliciously spiced comfort food.
Meet my curry mac and cheese. It's a one-pan dish with minimal cleanup and a curry-flavored twist to our earlier spicy mac and cheese recipe.
This recipe is perfect for busy evenings; it is quick to prepare and easy to follow.
This dish's creamy texture is simply irresistible. It combines smooth cheese sauce with warm curry powder spice.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
⭐️Delicious Without Being Heavy!
⭐️Quick & straightforward recipe!
⭐️Creamy Texture!
⭐️Crowd-friendly recipe!
Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: I have used multi-grain elbow pasta, which is good to swa with any short pasta like penne or fusilli.
- Unsalted Butter adds richness and helps create a smooth roux for the sauce. If you are using salted butter, adjust the salt in this recipe.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the cheese sauce, giving it a super creamy texture. You can substitute with cornstarch or tapioca flour.
- Milk: I've used whole milk; however, replace it with unsweetened almond or soy milk, a great dairy-free alternative.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides the classic, gooey cheese pull and taste.
- Curry Powder: The star ingredient that gives this dish its unique, warm, and aromatic flavor. You can also substitute with a tablespoon of Thai red curry paste.
How To Make Curry Mac And Cheese?
- Prepare macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in milk until thickened and simmering. Stir in curry powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stir until well coated, and serve hot. Enjoy your creamy curry mac and cheese.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Make the roux(the all-purpose flour mixture) on medium heat to avoid burning the flour.
- Add the milk slowly to the pan, which helps maintain the texture.
- Adjust the curry powder to your preference.
♨️How To Adjust The Spice Level?
- This Curry Mac and Cheese is around is mildly spicy with barely noticeable heat.
- To control the heat, minimize the quantity using curry powder or stir in more cheese.
- You can sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to increase the heat.
Storage & Reheating
You can store this curry mac and cheese in the refrigerator for up to three days using airtight containers. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to two months.
You can reheat gently in the microwave or over the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or water if the curry mac and cheese is too thick.
FAQs
Yes, you can prepare this dish in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it over the stovetop or microwave, and sprinkle it with water or milk to make it creamy again.
Enjoy with a fresh salad(like this cucumber mango salad) or veggie sides. You can serve it with grilled meat to make this a comforting dinner(try this blackened Mahi Mahi)
Substitute whole milk with coconut milk for creamy, nutty flavors in this recipe.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Curry Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk /dairy free milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or as required
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer.
- Stir in the curry powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir until well coated.
- Serve hot and enjoy creamy curry mac and cheese.
Notes
- To Store: Refrigerate the leftovers in a large bowl and cover or use an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- To Freeze: Freeze the Curry Mac and Cheese in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- To Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge. This slow process helps maintain the creamy texture.
- To Reheat: Warm it in a microwave, stirring occasionally. If the curry mac and cheese is too thick, add a splash of milk.
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