" Baked Macaroni with Vegetables and Cheese"

There's a chill in the air ... The roads are covered with rustling leaves ... We desire for a hot cup of tea and would love to cuddle in our quilts and sleep. 

Yesss, Winters are approaching and what is more desirable than warm good comfort food in this chilly weather. Winter season is best for hot, piping, spicy food. Hunger strikes more often in winters than in other seasons and calls for more delicious food each day.

So lets enjoy the upcoming season with a host of comfort recipes. 

This recipe is of Cheesy Macaroni baked with veggies and herbs. Its light, tasty, warm and can be enjoyed with or without accompaniments. 

" Baked Macaroni with Vegetables and Cheese"

Ingredients :

100 gms Macaroni 

1 onion - chopped

1 tomato - chopped

2 green chillis - slitted

1/2 cup boiled peas

1 cup capsicum - chopped ( red/green/yellow)

few baby corns

few mushrooms - chopped

spring onion - chopped ( optional)

few brocolli or cauliflower florets - boiled 

salt as per taste

black pepper powder

oregano powder

chilli flakes

italian seasoning

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup warm milk

cheddar or mozarella cheese for grating

olive oil

Preparation:

• Prepare the macaroni as per packet instructions and keep aside
• To make the white or Alfredo sauce, heat a thick pan. Add little oil and to that add butter. Add flour and whisk to avoid any lumps. Once it turns light pink add warm milk and keep stirring to form a smooth paste. It will take few minutes to get a thick sauce consistency. Remove and keep aside.
• In a pan, add little olive oil. Add onion and saute, add green chillis, tomatoes and stir well. Add salt and black pepper powder and let the tomatoes become soft.
• Add all the vegetables and macaroni and stir well. 
• Add the prepared white sauce and mix well. 
• Pour the entire mixture in a baking tray or dish. Grate cheese on top and garnish with italian seasoning, oregano and chilli flakes
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180*C for 15 minutes till the cheese melts.
• Serve hot with garlic bread or sticks

Note : You can skip or add any other vegetables of your choice.