This dish is what happens when comfort food gets a little glow-up. I first made this on a rainy Tuesday, thinking it was just another mac and cheeseโbut the smoked haddock took it somewhere completely different. Suddenly it was less โkidsโ teaโ and more โpub lunch with a glass of white.โ
That said, my first attempt? I didnโt cut the fish small enough. Ended up with uneven chunksโsome undercooked, some totally lost. But once I diced them into proper bite-sized cubes and tucked them into the cheese sauce, it came out golden, bubbling, and so ridiculously good I didnโt even miss the bacon Iโd usually sneak in.
Let me show you how to get the cheese sauce silky, the fish just-cooked, and the top perfectly crisp.
WHY THIS ONE WORKS SO WELL
- The smoked haddock cuts through the richness of the cheese sauceโno need for bacon or ham.
- Peas add sweetness and colour without overpowering anything.
- Panko + Cheddar topping is next-level crispy. I tried regular breadcrumbs onceโnever again.
INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER
- Macaroni (200g) โ The classic choice. Holds the sauce in every nook.
- Butter + flour (40g each) โ The base of your roux. Gets silky when whisked with milk.
- Hot whole milk (900ml) โ Warm milk = smooth, lump-free sauce. Cold milk = trouble.
- Mature Cheddar (250g) โ Strong flavour. Mild cheddar disappears.
- Dijon mustard (2 tsp) โ Cuts the richness and sharpens the cheese.
- Smoked haddock (500g) โ Undyed is best. Itโs delicate, flaky, and not overly salty.
- Frozen petits pois (125g) โ No need to thaw. They heat through as it bakes.
- Panko breadcrumbs (40g) โ Crunchier than regular. Mixed with cheese for that golden topping.
MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)
- No haddock? Try hot-smoked salmon or flaked troutโbut adjust salt, as they’re stronger.
- Extra veg? Add wilted spinach or blanched leeksโbut keep it simple. Too much and the sauce can split.
- Cheese swap? Iโve tried a mix of Gruyรจre and Cheddar. Lovely, but you do lose that British edge.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Sauce turned grainy | Added cold milk to hot roux | Always warm the milk first |
Haddock overcooked | Cooked it before baking | Add raw cubesโthey cook perfectly in the oven |
Topping went soggy | Didnโt mix cheese with breadcrumbs | Combine both for an even golden crust |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS MACARONI CHEESE WITH SMOKED HADDOCK
- Preheat the oven to 200ยฐC (180ยฐC fan). Butter a 2.2-litre baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Melt butter in a pan, stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in hot milk. Cook, whisking, until thick and smooth.
- Add cheese + mustard: Off the heat, stir in half the grated Cheddar and all the mustard. Season well.
- Combine: Add pasta, haddock cubes, and frozen peas to the sauce. Stir gently.
- Layer and top: Spoon mixture into the dish. Mix remaining Cheddar with panko and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake: 25โ30 minutes until golden, bubbling, and the fish is cooked through.
- Serve: Straight from the oven, with green veg or a simple salad.
TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I always cut the haddock into 3cm cubesโany bigger and they donโt cook evenly.
- Mix the panko and cheese by handโit coats more evenly than tossing with a spoon.
- If Iโm making it ahead, I assemble and chill without the topping. Add it just before baking.
STORAGE + SERVING
- Fridge: Keeps for 3 days in a sealed container.
- Freezer: Freeze before baking, or after itโs cooled. Wrap tightly. Use within 3 months.
- Reheating: Oven is bestโcover with foil and heat at 180ยฐC for 10โ15 mins. Microwave works too, but the topping softens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I use cooked haddock instead of raw?
A: Yes, but add it gently at the end so it doesnโt break apart. Raw works best as it cooks in the sauce.
Q: Is this recipe too fishy for kids?
A: Surprisingly, no. The cheese and peas balance out the smokiness. My picky niece devoured it.
Q: Can I make this without mustard?
A: You can skip it, but Iโd recommend adding a splash of lemon juice instead to balance the richness.
Q: Can I use a different pasta shape?
A: Definitely. Penne or fusilli work wellโjust make sure it holds sauce.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Mushroom Pasta Bake
- Mary Berry Smoked Salmon And Haddock Kedgereeโ
- Mary Berry Mac And Cheese Recipe
Mary Berry Macaroni Cheese With Smoked Haddock Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes30
minutes585
kcalGolden-topped macaroni cheese with sweet peas and smoky haddock baked right into the creamy sauce. Itโs comforting, flavour-packed, and exactly what a chilly evening calls for.
Ingredients
200g macaroni
40g butter
40g plain flour
900ml hot whole milk
250g mature Cheddar, grated
2 tsp Dijon mustard
500g undyed smoked haddock, cut into 3cm cubes
125g frozen petits pois
40g panko breadcrumbs
Directions
- Preheat oven to 200ยฐC (180ยฐC fan).
- Cook macaroni until al dente, rinse under cold water.
- Melt butter, stir in flour. Whisk in hot milk gradually until thick.
- Stir in half the Cheddar + mustard. Season.
- Add pasta, haddock, and peas. Mix gently.
- Spoon into dish. Mix panko + remaining cheese, sprinkle over.
- Bake for 25โ30 mins until golden. Serve hot.
Notes
- Always cut the haddock into small cubes so it cooks evenly.
- Donโt skip warming the milkโit makes for a silky, lump-free sauce.
- For best crunch, mix the breadcrumbs with a little melted butter before topping.