Prep time: 12 mins

Serves: 2

 

• 4 generous handfuls of pasta (real macaroni if you’re feeling lavish, 18p Sainsbury’s Basics penne if you’re not...)
• 20g flour
• 20g butter
• 200ml milk
• 3 handfuls of granted cheese - a mixture of cheddar
• Ample salt and pepper
• Optional health kick: 2 chopped carrots

 

1. Scoop the pasta into a large microwave-safe bowl with the carrot if using. (Keep some back to nibble on whilst the kettle boils).

2. Pour enough boiling water in the bowl to cover everything and put it in micro for approx. 8 mins (depending on how cheap your pasta is).

3. While that’s cracking on, put the butter, flour, milk and a dash of pepper into a (cereal) bowl.

4. Once the pasta’s done, leave it just chilling on the side, and put the sauce mix into the

micro for 1 min.

5. Stir the sauce vigorously with a fork until most of the lumps have gone into hiding, then repeat.

6. Add two handfuls of grated cheese and put it all back in for another minute. Taste a bit. Add more pepper.

7. Drain the pasta and mix in the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese liberally on top.

8. Pop into the micro on the ‘grill’ setting to finish it off nicely, but don’t wait around for it to brown, as you’ll be waiting a long time!

9. Decorate with a sprig of a greenery to add some flair.

By now you should be quite the Microwave Masterchef: paella, pears in cider, chocolate cake and cottage pie!