• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lucy Loves

A charming food blog with recipes and other ramblings which may or may not be of interest to you

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Lucy
  • Recipes
    • Recipe A-Z
  • Contact Lucy Loves
  • Lucy Loves Press Page
  • My Privacy Policy
  • Reviews and That

April 4, 2022 By Lucy Leave a Comment

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe

Given the prices of quite literally EVERYTHING are going through the roof, a recipe featuring mainly pasta, cheese and something you’ve foraged from the woods is perfectly timed. I love a forage, and finding wild garlic in dark, damp areas whilst on a dog walk is so satisfying. Since my lovely Aunt gave me some plants to put in my garden, I now have my own tiny supply; so please feel spoilt that I used it in this Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese to share just with you.

This recipe features my beloved Instant Pot which I use at least twice a week; it fully justifies its place on work surface. I still haven’t got an Instant Pot, I hear you cry! Don’t panic, feel free to use this recipe for the base of your dish. But if you do have an Instant Pot then this Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe is the one for you. The pasta element takes 4 minutes in the IP, plus coming up to pressure and the steam releasing, and some minor stirring. A handful of wild garlic, turns this basic supper into something really quite special; so much so I have actually served it to dinner guests to a ripple of applause. It’s topped with bacon spiked crumbs with more of the leaves, extra cheese and a bit of black pepper to add a fragrant bit of crunch to the proceedings.

This bloody great big dish of Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese is frugal food at it’s finest. Unless you can’t find any growing wild garlic, that is, and have to pay £3 for a bunch in the supermarket.

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog
Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

There’s the wild garlic from my garden; it’s a thing of beauty, has a mild but tangy garlic flavour and it really does elevate the mac and cheese. The crispy bacon is a salty addition to the crumb topping, but obvs leave out for vegetarians. Just a note on the pre-grated cheese; it’s not frugal but does ensure your mac and cheese thickens perfectly, but do grate your own for better value for money.

A great place to start is with the mac and cheese base. Take the bowl of your Instant Pot and tip in the macaroni. Next pour on 900ml of cold water. Stir in a teaspoon of salt then add the cubes of butter.

Full English Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Pop the bowl into your Instant Pot, put the lid on and make sure the seal nozzle is in the correct position. Set to manual for 4 minutes then leave it to come up to pressure.

Full English Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Once the time’s up, release the steam manually then remove the lid. Stir the macaroni to break it up a little.

Full English Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Add in the pre grated cheese, reserving 3 tablespoons for your crumb topping, until it’s melted then add roughly 100ml of milk to loosen the sauce. You may need a little more or a little less, so add a splash at a time.

Full English Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog
Full English Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

The pasta should be well coated and saucy. Season with pepper and a little more salt, if needed. Roll up your leaves of wild garlic and slice into thin strips, or roughly chop if you like. Fold them into your saucy mac and cheese.

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Stir well and pop to one side while you make the crumbs. Pre heat your grill to medium high, or your oven to 170 degrees fan assisted ready for finishing the dish. In a small bowl mix the breadcrumbs with the reserved cheese, roughly chopped remaining wild garlic, chopped crispy bacon and a pinch of black pepper.

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Pour the whole delicious batch of mac and cheese into a large baking dish. Larger than mine as it turns out, then sprinkle on the crumbs.

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog
Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Now you can either pop this under the grill for a few minutes to toast the crumbs, or if the mac’s gone cold, pop in the oven for 10 minutes to ensure everything’s piping hot and toasty. Serve in giant portions as a main dish or as a side. Large spoon for shovelling it into your mouth essential.

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog
Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog
Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Due to the fleeting nature of wild garlic, I’d make this mac and cheese a quickly as you can. Neither the garlic or the mac and cheese will last long.

Lucy x

This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon. Should you choose to buy via this link Lucy Loves will get a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you x

Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe

Serves 4 to 6 generously, even by my standards

You will need an Instant Pot and a baking dish for this recipe if you don’t have an Instant Pot feel free to use this Mac and Cheese recipe instead

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

500g macaroni

900ml water

1 teaspoon salt

60g butter, cut into squares

500g grated cheese, I think the pre grated variety is best here as it contains a bit of cornflour so slightly thickens the mixture (reserve 3 tablespoons for the crumbs)

100ml milk, you may need a splash more

Salt and pepper to taste

A handful of wild garlic leaves, foraged or bought, washed and dried if foraged

Crumb topping

4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, or blitz a slice of bread into crumbs

3 tablespoons strong cheddar, grated

2 rashers crispy bacon, chopped, optional, omit for vegetarians and add a little more cheese

2 to 3 wild garlic leaves, snipped or chopped

Pepper, to taste

Serve as a delicious main or side dish

For the Instant Pot mac and cheese tip the macaroni into the metal bowl of your IP. Pour on 900ml cold water, stir in a teaspoon of salt then add the butter. Put the lid on your Instant Pot, turn the dial to seal then set to manual for 4 minutes.

Once the time is up, release the steam via the quick release action. Stir the cooked macaroni to break it up then add the grated cheese, reserving a handful for the top. Loosen the sauce with roughly 100ml of milk, you may need a little more or a little less, until the macaroni is well coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then stir in the chopped or snipped wild garlic leaves.

For topping, add the crumbs to a bowl and mix with the crispy bacon, reserved cheese and wild garlic. Season with black pepper. Scrape your mac and cheese into a large baking dish and top with the crumbs. Either grill until golden and bubbling, or pop into a hot oven for 10 minutes to finish and ensure it’s piping hot.

Serve, garnished with extra wild garlic if you have it, in large cheesy portions.

Lucy Loves Food Blog
print

Filed Under: Cheese, Dinner Party, Family Meals, Frugal, Instant Pot, Main courses, One Pot, Pasta, Recipes, Spring, Vegetarian




Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT LUCY

I am Lucy. A barely 50 year old with roles a-plenty. Mum to two boys and a dog, wife, PA and now blogger. We live in the suburbs of SW London and pretty much constantly have our noses in the trough. Read More…

Have a little look at these

Winter Sun Cocktail from Lucy Loves Food Blog

A bit of Winter Sun

Witches Brew

Snow-storm-cocktail-lucyloves-foodblog

A Pre Christmas Cocktail Selection Box

Giant Peanut Butter Cup recipe from Lucy Loves Food Blog

Giant Peanut Butter Cup

lucyck

lucyck
If you’re anything like me and have a freezer fu If you’re anything like me and have a freezer full of brown bananas this One Bowl Banana Maple Pud is a bit of you 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #frugalfood #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #banana #maplesyrup
This 3 ingredient pasta, based on @nigellalawson c This 3 ingredient pasta, based on @nigellalawson classic recipe, features the rather boujee new Truffle @marmite and it’s beyond delicious 🤎
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #marmite #trufflemarmite #pasta #instablogger #instablog #nigella #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
If the forecast is to be believed this could be th If the forecast is to be believed this could be the perfect weekend for sipping a Salty Dog ☀️
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #drinkpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #friday #gin #vodka #huffposttaste #cocktails  #food52 #recipes #instadrink #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #drinks #drink #delicious
My Citrus Chicken Rice Bowls are perfectly timed f My Citrus Chicken Rice Bowls are perfectly timed for a bit of warm weather as a portable lunch or dare I risk it all going tits up, a picnic 😬
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #mollyyeh #chicken #ricebowl #summerfood  #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking
Wow Palma you chic little city you. I’ve been go Wow Palma you chic little city you. I’ve been going to Mallorca since I was 10 and somehow missed out on visiting this beautiful place. Thank you @kcalcutt and @madhen35 for your company, laughter and drinking and eating skills ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #cocktails #minibreak #love #instablogger #instablog #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #instafood #travel #citybreak #instafoodblog #instafoodie #palma #mallorca #foodspotting #eat #delicious #drink
These little Lemon Curd Biscuits are a mouthful of These little Lemon Curd Biscuits are a mouthful of spring despite it being bloody November outside 🍋
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #lemon #lemoncurd #vitamix #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
This Spinach Potato and Halloumi curry is an absol This Spinach Potato and Halloumi curry is an absolute meat free Monday win. If I can get my carnivore family to love this, so can you ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #meatfreemonday #meatfree #halloumi #vegetarian #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking
Nothing says Happy Easter like a Brandy Alexander. Nothing says Happy Easter like a Brandy Alexander. Cheers to you on this very Good Friday 🍹
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #brandy #cocktails #easter #brandyalexander #goodfriday #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #drinkpic #drinks #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #brandy #food52 #recipes #instadrink #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #drink #delicious
Looking for a lazy Good Friday supper? This Cod wi Looking for a lazy Good Friday supper? This Cod with Lemon and Garlic Crumbs is bloody easy but bloody delicious ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #fish #easter #goodfriday #easyrecipes #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
It’s nearly Easter hooray. Time to sit down and It’s nearly Easter hooray. Time to sit down and eat Double Chocolate Hot Cross Buns. A pound of butter on each one, pretty much essential ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #easter #hotcrossbuns #chocolate #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
I love wild garlic so much I have a tiny little pa I love wild garlic so much I have a tiny little patch growing in my garden. If you’ve foraged some recently this Wild Garlic Mac and Cheese is a super simple but really quite tasty little way to use it 🍃
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #wildgarlic #instantpotrecipes #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking
It’s absolutely sodding freezing. I would highly It’s absolutely sodding freezing. I would highly recommend burying your face in my Chicken with Mustard Cream. Mash a total must 🥶
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #chicken #mustard #comfortfood #spring instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Footer

ABOUT LUCY

I am Lucy. A barely 50 year old with roles a-plenty. Mum to two boys and a dog, wife, PA and now blogger. We live in the suburbs of SW London and pretty much constantly have our noses in the trough. Read More…

stay connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sign up here for the Lucy Loves monthly newsletter






 

All copy and images copyright Lucy Loves unless otherwise indicated.

This website uses cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT