Taken from Emma Forbes’s gorgeous new cookbook Life & Soul, this family-friendly dish is comfort food at its best. Quick and easy, and ideal for a mid-week meal this cheesy dish will satisfy hungry tummies young and old.

Serves: 4-6

Preparation & cooking time: 30 minutes

What you’ll need:

• 3 leeks
• 25g/1oz butter
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 400g/14oz macaroni
• 1 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• For the cheese sauce:
• 200g/7oz mature Cheddar cheese
• 50g/1¾oz butter
• 3 tbsp plain white flour
• 700ml/1¼pints semi-skimmed or whole milk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

What to do:

1. Thinly slice the leeks. Over a low heat, melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the leaks and thyme and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and slightly browned.
2. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, according to the instructions on the packet.
3. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Grate the cheese. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat. When melted, add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute, until it turns slightly lighter in colour. The most important thing is not to let it darken and burn!
4. Add 100ml/3½fl oz of the milk and whisk in quickly until it amalgamates with the butter and flour mixture. Add 200ml/7fl oz of the milk and continue to stir. When the sauce thickens, add another 200ml/7fl oz od the milk and repeat until all the milk has been incorporated. The sauce will take slightly longer to thicken each time you add a quantity of milk so continue stirring for a further 5 minutes after all the milk has been added. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mustard, the grated cheese and the cooked leeks.
6. Preheat the grill to high. Drain the cooked pasta and tip it into the pan of cheese sauce. (If your pan is not large enough, mix the pasta and sauce together in a large bowl.) Coat the pasta in the glorious cheesy leek sauce before transferring to an ovenproof dish.
7. Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan together and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni cheese. Cook under the grill for 3-5 minutes until golden.

Read our 5 Minutes With interview with Emma to see what family-friendly meals she loves to cook at home.

Life & Soul by Emma Forbes is available to buy in stores and online, priced at £20.

Published by Ivy Press ISBN: 978-1-907332-86-9

www.ivypress.co.uk