Follow Your Swallow

Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

5

Level 5: Minced & Moist · 25 min · serves 2

Creamy Macaroni & Cheese prepared as an illustrative IDDSI Level 5 serving
Serving illustration. Follow the measurements below and run the IDDSI test before serving.

The family’s version

  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Breadcrumb topping
  • Broiled cheese crust

The Level 5 version

  • 180 g small pasta, cooked very soft
  • 250 ml thick smooth cheese sauce
  • 1 tbsp cream cheese
  • Warm milk as needed
Convert it
  1. Cook the pasta until it is very soft rather than al dente.
  2. Chop every pasta piece to 4 mm or smaller, using the gap between fork prongs as the measure.
  3. Fold through plenty of thick cheese sauce and cream cheese until the pasta is cohesive and moist.
  4. Check that the mixture holds on a fork without sauce dripping or pasta pieces falling away.
  5. Serve before breadcrumbs or broiling; crisp topping and chewy cheese crust stay with the family version.
EquipmentSharp knife or mini food processor, fork for testing
SLP tipUse more sauce than the family pan needs; Level 5 pasta must stay moist through the final bite.

Before serving: run the fork pressure test on the finished plate. Recipes guide you to a texture. Only the test confirms it.

Run the guided test →
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