Mac 'n' Cheese with Peas!

This pesto is great with other green veggies, you can try it with a mix of frozen broad beans and peas, or swap in half for raw broccoli florets.
Serves 4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Vegetarian
350g (12oz) macaroni
200g (7oz) frozen peas, defrosted 1 garlic clove
50g (2oz) basil leaves
15g (½oz) mint leaves
30g (1oz) toasted pine nuts
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
100g (3½oz) mascarpone
50g (2oz) Parmesan cheese (or vegetarian alternative), grated, plus extra to scatter
25g (1oz) unsalted butter
25g (1oz) plain (all purpose) flour 400ml (1¾ cups) vegetable stock 75g (3oz) mozzarella, grated
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/4oc°F/Gas 6. Cook the
pasta in boiling salted water for 10 minutes until not quite cooked. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a small food processor, blitz the peas with the garlic, basil, mint, pine nuts and the extra virgin olive oil. Whizz in the mascarpone and the Parmesan.
3. Melt the butter in a pan, add the flour and cook for 2 minutes,
then gradually add the vegetable stock until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Add the pesto and stir until smooth. Season to taste.
4. Stir the sauce through the pasta and tip into an ovenproof dish. Scatter with the rest of the parmesan and the grated mozzarella and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and golden.
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[@reginalam8336]

I like to watch n learn cooking with Donal's since he was first started to have videos, until now he was married with children. He is talented in cooking, fast, simple n easy to learn and it came out very tasty. Keep out your good job, we all love you very much. Regina Lamb from Hong Kong 😍 💖

[@donalskehan]

Thank you Regina! 😊

[@mathieuperrier3841]

I wish my mom made me this dish when I was a child… Now, I’ll do it for my nephew next time he comes home. Sure he will love it 😍

[@donalskehan]

ah thats so sweet! Hope he likes it!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Quote of the Day: “When have I ever eaten food cold on this channel?”

[@lukasjoline]

We made this for dinner tonight (only substituted toasted mixed nuts for the pine nuts). It was absolutely divine! Even my pea hating daughter liked it 😄 Brilliant recipe, will for sure become part of our dinner routine 😊

[@kind1900]

this looks incredible. My 3 favourite Ps! peas, pesto, and pasta. I am going to try this dish next weekend.

[@ginacervi]

I always fret over feeding 2 vegetarian kids. This looks perfect. Thank you. I’m making this tonight.

[@LyallPurKitchen]

very nice recipe👍👍👍👍

[@TheChiramu]

Such a perfect dish for the little ones! ❤

[@johnryan509]

The new gaff looks savage, kid! I hope you and the clan can have a more settled life for a bit.

[@donalskehan]

thank you! Renting for the moment again but love this space!

[@claudiaweidman1004]

Looks great 🎉

[@talisan.toekimin7442]

Love this. I would add cheese in the mac too and more on top 😁

[@PokhrajRoy.]

6:51 It’s the House of Skehan being absolutely fabulous! Also, that lunchbox is everything.

[@lisca2866]

Delicious

[@ayalashoshani986]

Looks amazing!

[@bluemoon5411]

SO fab ....yum yum

[@dragonflyheart7876]

Looks good. Thank you

[@robertachuere7318]

Wowww!!! Yummy😋😋😋

[@theabandonedhunter3604]

Ohh yes will give this a try.

[@donalskehan]

let me know how you get on!!!

[@2AZSUN]

Oh Donal, you have done it again!! If I could, I would come right to your house and hug your neck for this one!!! Everything that's good all wrapped up in one simple dish. I can't wait to try this one!! I'm thinking some crushed Ritz sprinkled over before the oven would really take it over the top!!

[@idrink007]

Well done Donal!

[@denniscahill9683]

Yes, I will try it. I am no longer burdened with one child who hates peas and one who so loves my baked mac and cheese that he will not try a variation

[@sih1095]

That looks absolutely awesome.

[@donalskehan]

thank you!

[@lifeofaimee6259]

looks so good!!

[@terracecooking]

Your food is very nice. 👍

[@futurechannel9701]

Great recipe as always Donal! I am loving the salt cellar, where’s it from?

[@SouthernThruNThru]

Yum!

[@jenniferkastenbaum9336]

Good Morning, Donal! I was wondering if you can do a Series on "Toddler-Children Meals"? Not a great wording, however, you have two "Littles" and I have a just turned 3yo who could be a little picky, and with His Heart issues, He has to eat as much as possible to keep His weight up...Any ideas? Thanks! -Jenn

[@chiaracarissimi6950]

omg you and these recipes make me blush real bad 😍😍

[@SimarutLapisatepun]

Look so delicious!! :)

[@kimworkman2425]

This could be very good

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Noah and Ollie are the best Sous-Chefs. I love how they nick the ingredients.

[@Flashblade]

What is the point of making a roux the pasta already has so much starch to hold the sauce together. Also adding some lemon zest would be nice

[@kathleenroberts6357]

Dr. Seuss will be proud

[@PokhrajRoy.]

What do call the leftover oil after you cook off Elbow Pasta? Elbow Grease.

[@cj4607]

30 seconds into the video i am like "nah"

[@jennybennett776]

It would have to be sweet corn for us as hubby doesn't like peas ☹️

[@donalskehan]

not a bad substitute!

[@HaudeW]

Do you never burn your mouth? 😅

[@danicee]

Looks good! What would you recommend as a substitute for the pine nuts?

[@RejonMunchausen]

not sure what would be best for this particular recipe, but for pesto in general I will use walnuts or almonds when funds are tight

[@danicee]

@@RejonMunchausen thanks for the suggestion! Going to use walnuts

[@chrili4069]

I'm allergic to pine nuts as well as walnuts. Was considering almonds or maybe sunflower seeds?

[@RejonMunchausen]

@@chrili4069 never tried sunflower, but they are tasty and have plenty of oil. I might try that next time

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I want to see someone make Mac n Peas with Vegan Cheese.

[@wolfravenloft1551]

Why do you want to see someone cooking a vegan mac'n cheese? Just buy vegan cheese alternatives and make it. I'm sure it will be great. It's not like we can taste any of the food we see being made on video, in order to know if any recipe is yummy (to our personal tastes) the only thing to do is to cook it ourselves right?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

It’s a confluence between Mac n Cheese as well as Au Gratin. I like it!

[@sharie5706]

Love the optional ideas for other green veggies, 50% of the family are anti-peas.

[@wolfravenloft1551]

How about spinach or courgettes/zucchini?

[@FirstLast-ox1iy]

Wow way too many peas!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

0:17 Bonus Points for that explanation. Succinct in every way.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

We dare you to eat Mac n Peas straight from the pot. 😂

[@mohammedjoynalabedin8446]

Fast comment.

[@cjh6678]

One of the most Caucasian dishes I’ve ever heard of.

[@idrink007]

Well done Donal!