This macaroni and cheese recipe is really simple to cook, and fits the bill as an easy one dish recipe. To many people, it is the ultimate comfort food because they grew up eating it as a kid. 

This macaroni and cheese recipe is my 13 year old daughter's own recipe and she has tweaked it along the way so that it tastes just the way she likes it - cheezy! Her recipe calls for 2 blocks of cheddar cheese, but you could of course reduce it to 1 block if you prefer.

500g Elbow macaroni, boiled in a pot of lightly salted water and drained
250g Honey baked ham
2 Blocks Cheddar Cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 big onions, chopped
1.5 litres milk
5 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs dried mixed herbs 
Salt and Pepper to taste
Champignons or button mushrooms - 1 can sliced
Parsley, chopped for garnishing

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Heat oil in a pot
Add onions and saute till slightly brown at the edges
Add garlic and saute till golden brown
Add milk and stir over low heat
Add grated cheese in spoonfuls (keep some cheese aside for garnishing)
Continue stirring to melt the cheese and simmer
When cheese has melted (make sure mixture is not lumpy), add mixed herbs and pepper
Continue stirring and add ham and mushrooms
Let it simmer for a while then add the cooked macaroni and mix in
Add salt to taste (cheese may be salty, so taste before adding salt if required)
Garnish with chopped parsley and cheese

Tip:
For greater nutritional value to this macaroni and cheese recipe, add chopped broiled broccoli to the Mac 'N Cheese prior to serving.

Here is a helpful article with extra tips on how to get your kids to eat more vegetables.

Besides being a hit with the kids, this easy one dish recipe can be cooked in half an hour. If you have any leftovers from dinner, pack it for the next day's fuss free lunch at the office or for the kids to have at school.