PIZZA MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

Serves 4

All the flavours of your favourite pizza in a very simple pasta recipe. Cook the macaroni in a tasty pizza sauce, then either mix in the pizza toppings, or add them on top with the bubbling cheese. This is a great way to accommodate fussy eaters, as you only add what they like. You can substitute another pasta shape, though please note that if you use a larger size than macaroni, you might need to add extra liquid as the pasta is cooking.

Calories per serving: 508, without toppings

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

500ml (18fl oz) tomato passata

250ml (9fl oz) semi-skimmed milk

150ml (¼ pint) water

1 teaspoon onion granules

1 teaspoon garlic granules

300g (10½oz) macaroni

1 teaspoon dried oregano

90g (3¼oz) Cheddar cheese, grated

100g (3½oz) mozzarella cheese, torn

toppings/fillings of choice

(see note) salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan (400°F), Gas Mark 6.

1. Pour the passata, milk and measured water into a small flameproof casserole dish (about 24cm/9½ inches in diameter), add both the onion and garlic granules and bring to the boil.
2. Add the macaroni, reduce the heat a little and allow to bubble away for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the pasta does not clump together or stick to the bottom of the pot.
3. After 15 minutes, season to taste, add the oregano, then stir through half of each of the grated Cheddar and torn mozzarella.
4. Cover the top of the pasta with all the remaining cheese and pop into the oven for 15 minutes, until the cheese on top is bubbling and the macaroni is cooked through (if not, cook for 5 more minutes before checking again).

NOTE I haven’t included extra ‘toppings’ to the main recipe, as it’s a very personal choice! You could top the dish with anchovies (as I have done in the photo), jalapeños or bacon when it goes into the oven to melt the cheese, or stir in mushrooms, peppers, olives, pepperoni, sweetcorn or tuna with the cheese in step 4. If your favourite pizza topping is ham and pineapple, you could add those! (Please note that this dish is no longer vegetarian if you add pepperoni, tuna, anchovies or bacon, and that your toppings will increase  the calorie count.)

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT FROM THE SLIMMING FOODIE IN ONE BY PIP PAYNE