A cheese toastie is a rich, salty and deeply satisfying lunch or treat, but on its own it may not fully fill you up. One wallet-friendly ingredient can turn this modest snack into a proper, hearty meal.
This particular creation sustained its author throughout student days because it is speedy, economical and filling. While a deep-fill toastie maker was preferred, the dish can be prepared in a panini press, a standard toastie maker, or even a frying pan.
The Secret Addition
The secret addition is tinned spaghetti. It might raise eyebrows, but the tomato sauce brings an extra layer of flavour, while the spaghetti makes the cheese toastie far more substantial. It is incredibly popular in New Zealand, where the author is from, and it deserves to catch on in Britain too.
Ingredients and Method
To make two sandwiches, you will need half a tin of canned spaghetti in tomato sauce, half a cup of cheddar cheese, four slices of bread, and two teaspoons of butter.
Heat up your toasted sandwich maker, or melt a knob of butter in a pan on a low heat. Spread butter on the bread slices, then flip them so the buttered side faces outward, and distribute the cheese and spaghetti evenly across two of the slices. Top with the remaining slices, making sure the buttered side is facing out. Place the sandwiches in your toastie maker or into your pan.
Cooking and Serving
If using a pan, cook them for roughly four minutes on each side, until the cheese has melted and the spaghetti is piping hot. Once removed from the machine or pan, leave the toasties to rest for a moment before cutting them down the middle and serving up.
