CHEESY MASALA MACARONI (PASTA)

Cheesy Masala macaroni is a mildly spicy and tangy dish, with loads of Indian spices. This cheesy masala macaroni is liked by all ages and it will be one of the kid’s favourite dish. You can add veggies of your choices and make it much more healthier. This tasty macaroni is an ideal lunch box recipe/breakfast recipe/dinner recipe or evening snack, and it can be prepared easily in less than 30 minutes. Macaroni is made of durum wheat which contains protein higher than maida.

PREPARATION TIME : 10 minutes

COOKING TIME         : 15-20 minutes

INGREDIENTS: (serves 4 persons)

• Macaroni                                 - 1 and 1/2 cup
• Onion medium size                - 2
• Chopped ginger                      - 1 spoon
• Chopped garlic                       - 1 spoon
• Tomato large size                   - 1
• Red chilli sauce                       - 2 spoons
• Tomato ketchup                     - 2 spoons
• Red chilli powder                   - 3 spoons
• Garam masala                        - 1 spoon
• Chat masala                            - 1/2 spoon
• Turmeric powder                   - 1/2 spoon
• Mustard seeds                        - 1/2 spoon
• Urad dal                                   - 1 spoon
• Cheese cube                           - 1
• Oil                                             - 2 spoons
• salt 
• Chopped Coriander leaves
• Water for cooking macaroni

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get ready with all the ingredients.

2. Boil some water in a kadai. Add 1/2 spoon oil and 1/2 spoon salt to the water. Add the macaroni shells and cook until they are soft. Strain the macaroni and keep aside. (Tip: Adding oil while cooking prevents sticking of macaroni to one another.)

3. Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and urad dal and let them crackle. (Tip: You can also add 1 spoon butter to enhance the flavour of the dish.)

4. Add Chopped ginger and garlic. Saute for a minute.

5. Add finely chopped onions and salt. Saute until onions turns translucent.

6. Add finely chopped tomatoes and saute until they turns soft and mushy. (Tip: You can also add veggies of your choice in this stage and cook the veggies with 1/2 glass water.)

7. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and chat masala. Saute well. (Tip: Keep stirring do not burn the masala.)

8. Add red chilli sauce and tomato ketchup. Mix well. (Tip: If you like to be more tangy increase the quantity of tomato ketchup.)

9. Add the cooked macaroni. Mix well until the masala gets coated with macaroni.

10. Grate the cheese cube and add to the macaroni. Mix well.

11. Finally, add some chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

=> You can also add some amchur powder, Italian seasoning, mixed herbs, oregano and red chilli flakes, if you wish.

=> You can add veggies like carrot, capsicum, mushrooms, peas, green beans and corn kernels.

=> The specified amount of spiciness is sufficient for me. If you need more or less spicy adjust the quantity accordingly. You can also add some green chillies.

=> I added chopped ginger and garlic. You can also add 1 spoon ginger garlic paste while sauteing onions.