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Mapo Mac and Cheese

A fusion of spicy, savoury mapo tofu with creamy, stretchy mac and cheese!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

Mac & Cheese
  • 230 g shell pasta or macaroni
  • 100 g shredded mozzarella
  • 150 g cheddar cheese
  • 30 g butter
  • 20 g all-purpose flour
  • 200 ml milk
  • 50 ml heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
Cheese Topping
  • 20 g mozzarella cheese
  • 20 g cheddar cheese
Mapo Tofu
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 230 g firm tofu cut into small cubes
  • 250 g minced pork
  • 3 tbsp spicy douban paste
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water slurry
  • Chopped scallions for garnish

Method
 

Make the Mapo Tofu
  1. Heat oil in a cocotte (or any oven-safe pot) over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced pork and stir-fry until it loses its pink colour.
  3. Add garlic, ginger, douban paste, sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and Shaoxing wine. Stir until fragrant.
  4. Add 1 cup water, chicken bouillon and the tofu cubes.
  5. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the pot until the sauce thickens.
  7. Turn off the heat and transfer the mapo tofu to a separate bowl. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta
  1. In the same cocotte, bring salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
  3. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain the rest and set pasta aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce
  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 356°F.
  2. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 3 minutes until lightly golden.
  3. Gradually add milk, heavy cream, and pasta water, whisking constantly until smooth.
  4. Season with salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  5. Add mozzarella and cheddar, stirring until fully melted and creamy.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and mix until evenly coated.
Assemble & Bake
  1. Spread the cooked mapo tofu evenly over the mac and cheese.
  2. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar topping on top.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Serve
  1. Top with fresh scallions and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Video