Cookbook:Glorified Mac and Cheese

This recipe is based on a macaroni and cheese recipe, with additions of meat and vegetables to promote it from a side dish to a main course.

Ingredients

 * 250 g (½ pound) macaroni
 * 30 g (1 ounce) flour
 * 45 g (3 tbsp) butter
 * 240 ml (1 cup) milk
 * Salt to taste
 * Pepper to taste
 * 140 g (5 ounces) shredded cheese (e.g. cheddar, emmental, gruyère or whatever you like)
 * 2 hot dogs, sliced
 * 140 g (5 ounces) frozen green vegetables (e.g. spinach, kale, broccoli, peas, or whatever you like)
 * 2 fresh tomatoes, sliced
 * Grated Parmesan cheese
 * Paprika

Procedure

 * 1) Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a casserole or baking dish.
 * 2) On the stovetop, bring 2 liters (2 quarts) of salted water to a boil; add the macaroni and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente.
 * 3) While the macaroni is cooking, start making the roux. Mix the flour and butter in a saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring until blended and bubbling.
 * 4) Add the milk, salt and pepper and stir until thickened. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and add the cheese, sliced hotdogs, and frozen vegetables.
 * 5) When the macaroni is done, drain and put in the greased dish. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir till combined.
 * 6) Arrange the tomato slices on top, then sprinkle grated parmesan and paprika over the tomato slices.
 * 7) Bake for 40 minutes.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Instead of the hot dogs, you can use any other meat you like: ground beef (browned in a skillet first), bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken, canned tuna, and so on. For a vegetarian version, try diced tofu, textured vegetable protein (soy meat), chickpeas, brown lentils, etc.