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Macaroni pie
Firm, sliceable baked macaroni and sharp cheddar set with egg and evaporated milk, the Trini Sunday lunch favourite
Macaroni pie is a must on the Trinidadian Sunday lunch table, beside callaloo, rice, stew and salad. It isn't a saucy macaroni cheese but a firm bake: macaroni mixed with sharp cheddar, evaporated milk, eggs, mustard and a little onion and pepper, baked until golden and set enough to cut into neat squares. Kids love it, and it's just as good cold the next day. Chef's tip: let the pie rest for 20 minutes after it comes out of the oven. It firms up as it cools slightly, so you get clean, proper slices instead of a soft heap.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan) and butter a 23 × 30 cm baking dish.
Step 2: Cook 14 oz elbow macaroni in well-salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the packet says, so it's still firm; it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain well and tip back into the warm pan.
8 minStep 3: Stir 1 oz butter into the hot macaroni until melted, then stir in two-thirds of 10 ½ oz sharp cheddar.
Step 4: Whisk 3 eggs with 1 ¾ cups evaporated milk, 1 tsp prepared mustard, ½ onion, ¼ scotch bonnet pepper, ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp ground black pepper.
Step 5: Pour the egg mixture over the macaroni and mix well. Spread it in the dish and press it down level. Scatter the rest of the cheese on top and dust with ½ tsp paprika.
Step 6: Bake for 35–40 minutes, until set in the middle (a knife pushed in shouldn't bring up liquid) and golden brown and bubbling on top.
38 minStep 7: Leave to rest for 20 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
20 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 500 kcal
- Protein
- 23 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does macaroni pie take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of sharp cheddar?
- Any hard cheese, same amount.
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