31 Days of MOO Day 17 MOO Mac and Cheese Recipe | 45¢ Budget Meal

Comfort food for cents, not dollars

This is one of those classic MOO recipes that proves you don’t need a packet or a box to make something delicious, filling, and budget-friendly.

Creamy, cheesy, and endlessly adaptable, this homemade mac’n’cheese is a family favourite that costs just a fraction of the supermarket version — and tastes so much better.

Ingredients
250g elbow macaroni
60g butter
¼ cup plain flour
½ teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups grated cheese

Method
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil.
Cook macaroni until tender but still slightly firm (about 8 minutes). Drain. 
Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Slowly add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook until the sauce thickens and gently bubbles (about 5 minutes).
Stir in grated cheese until melted and smooth.
Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until well coated.
Serve hot and enjoy every creamy, comforting bite.

Baked Mac’n’Cheese Option
For an extra-special (and slightly crispy) version:
Pour into a greased casserole dish
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and dot with butter
Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbling

Make It Go Further (Stretch Tip)
Double the pasta to 500g and mix through the same sauce.
It’s a simple way to feed more people for just a few extra cents.

Easy Add-Ins
Use what you have — this is perfect for using up odds and ends:
Diced ham
Cooked chicken
Peas or corn
Sliced hard-boiled eggs
Diced tomato
Grated zucchini or carrot

Cost: Approx. $3.60 per 800g
That’s just 45 cents per 100g — a big win for your grocery budget.

This is exactly what MOO Month is about — simple swaps that turn everyday meals into reliable, low-cost staples.

Once you start making dishes like this from scratch, those boxed versions quickly lose their appeal… and their place in your trolley.