Katsu Curry Mac Cheese (Print Version)

Creamy macaroni meets curry flavor, finished with golden panko for a crunchy, comforting fusion main.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1 tablespoon Japanese curry powder
08 - 1 tablespoon mild curry paste
09 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Crispy Topping

13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
14 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
17 - 1 tablespoon pickled ginger, finely chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, forming a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk whole milk into the roux, stirring constantly until thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
05 - Add cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Japanese curry powder, curry paste, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
06 - Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
07 - Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast over medium heat until golden. Stir in sesame seeds.
08 - Sprinkle the toasted panko mixture evenly over macaroni and cheese.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown on top.
10 - Top with sliced spring onions and pickled ginger before serving, if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry staples you likely already have
  • Fuses two iconic comfort foods for a fresh, crowd-pleasing flavor
  • Ready in under an hour with only about 20 minutes of hands-on prep
  • Customizable with vegetarian or meaty add-ins
02 -
  • Rich in protein and calcium for a satisfyingly filling meal
  • Can be easily made vegetarian with no loss of flavor
  • Crunchy panko topping holds up even after reheating
03 -
  • Toast the panko topping right before you need it so it stays ultra crisp
  • Use freshly grated cheese not pre-shredded for the smoothest melty sauce
  • If adding katsu cutlets slice them thin and bake on top for the last ten minutes so they stay juicy

Go Back