Description
Crispy Fish Fillet with Macaroni and Cheese combines golden-brown fish fillets with creamy, cheesy pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal that appeals to all ages.
Ingredients
- white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- flour
- egg
- breadcrumbs or panko
- salt
- black pepper
- macaroni pasta
- cheddar cheese
- milk
- butter
- flour (for roux)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to form a roux. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth.
- Stir in cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Combine with pasta.
- Season fish with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, dip in egg, and coat in breadcrumbs.
- Fry fish in oil over medium heat until golden and cooked through.
- Serve fish alongside macaroni and cheese.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use baked fish instead of fried.
- Add peas or spinach to the mac and cheese for extra nutrition.
- Try different cheeses like mozzarella or gouda for variety.
- Store separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Reheat mac and cheese on the stove with a splash of milk, and reheat fish in the oven to keep it crisp.
- Frozen fish can be used, but make sure to thaw it fully before cooking.
- Sharp cheddar is a great choice for the mac and cheese, but feel free to experiment with other types of cheese.
- If baking the fish, bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden and cooked through.
- This dish is definitely kid-friendly with its familiar, comforting flavors.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- For extra crispy fish, use panko breadcrumbs and fry at the right temperature (medium heat).
- Mac and cheese can be made ahead and reheated gently with added milk.
- Cod, haddock, or tilapia work best for this dish.
- Herbs like parsley or dill can be added to the breading for extra flavor.
- While mac and cheese freezes well, the fish is best served fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg