With Valentine’s Day approaching, you might be thinking about cooking a special meal, and Martha Stewart is the perfect source of inspiration. But not for her usual recipes like chocolate cake, eggplant Parmesan, or one-pan pasta. Instead, the internet is going wild over an old tutorial where she shows a clever way to turn baked mac and cheese pink.
Social media creators have rediscovered Stewart’s hack for adding tomato paste to her mac and cheese to give it an adorable pink hue. And if you’re stuck in a rut and don’t know what to make for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day, this recipe has your name all over it.
To make Stewart’s pink mac and cheese, preheat your oven to 375°F. Next, prepare the cheese sauce by combining milk, tomato paste, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cheddar, and Swiss in a pot. Heat it over medium until everything is melted and smooth. While the sauce comes together, cook elbow macaroni in boiling water until it’s al dente. Once the pasta is ready, mix it with the cheese sauce and transfer everything to a butter-greased casserole dish. Bake until the top is golden brown and the center is bubbly and custard-like.
Social media creators have recently discovered this throwback recipe and are already trying it out. The tomato paste adds a subtle sweetness and helps thicken the cheese sauce since Stewart’s recipe skips the usual roux. The best part? This secret ingredient gives the mac and cheese a gorgeous pink color.
If you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner, you can try this pink pasta hack with other dishes, too. You could add tomato paste to creamy Alfredo, cheesy risotto, or silky orzo for a fun pink twist. Stewart learned this recipe from her mother, who calls it “one of her favorite dishes.” And if she approves, chances are it’ll be a hit with whoever you decide to serve it to.
Article by:Source – Ashia Aubourg
