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Children love the creamy taste of mac and cheese and want to have it most of the time while dining out. However, store-bought packages may be filled with artificial ingredients that may even be harmful at times. So instead, you can make this yummy vegetarian delight at home by following the macaroni and cheese recipes for children we introduce in this post.
Cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. If consumed in appropriate quantities, it is good for your little one. So, read on and try out these family-friendly recipes to make mac and cheese that your children can enjoy for lunch or dinner or any time of the day without you having to worry about any extra sodium, fat, or calories.
10 Creamy Macaroni And Cheese Recipe For Kids
1. 5-minute mac and cheese
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This mac and cheese recipe for kids is amazing, try it out!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound cooked pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- In a microwave safe bowl, add pasta, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well and cover lightly with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 3 minutes, stir and then microwave for another 2 minutes.
- Keep stirring until it becomes smooth and creamy.
2. Kid-friendly mac and cheese recipe
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Ingredients:
- 1 pound cooked macaroni
- 1 cup butter
- 1/3 cups flour
- 3 cups milk
- 750 pound cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons
- dry bread crumbs
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Take a saucepan and melt 3/4th cup of butter over medium heat.
- Then stir in the flour and add the milk slowly.
- Bring it to boil and then stir for 2 minutes.
- Take it off the burner and then add cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until the cheese melts.
- Add the macaroni and mix well.
- Take a casserole dish and mix the remaining butter, bread crumbs and pepper.
- Sprinkle it on macaroni and cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
3. Classic mac and cheese
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Ingredients:
- 400g cooked macaroni
- 50g butter
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 500 ml milk
- 250g grated gruyere cheese
- Chopped parsley
Directions:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour.
- Cook for 1 minute over medium heat. Then add the milk and stir until it acquires a smooth consistency.
- When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the flame and simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Then remove from the heat and add the grated cheese until it is smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir well.
- Season with salt, pepper, chopped parsley and serve.
4. Simple mac and cheese
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This is an easy and quick mac and cheese recipe for kids.
Ingredients:
- 250g cooked macaroni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
- 450ml milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
Directions:
- Heat butter in a pan and then add plain flour to it.
- Add some black pepper, mustard powder and cook on low heat for about minute.
- Then add milk and mix well. Bring the mixture to boil while stirring all the time.
- Then add a handful of cheddar cheese.
- Add the drained pasta to cheese sauce and stir well. Serve with garlic bread and salad or cucumber and chunks of red, yellow and green peppers.
5. Macaroni and cheddar cheese
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This is an easy kids mac and cheese recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- A pinch of salt
- 1 pound of cooked elbow macaroni
Directions:
- Heat a medium pan and add oil and butter. Then add flour and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add milk to it and thicken a bit by stirring continuously. Then add 2 cups of cheddar cheese and season with cayenne pepper.
- Add cooked pasta and keep stirring.
- Transfer the macaroni to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake the dish until the cheese browns.
6. Spicy macaroni and cheese
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This easy macaroni cheese recipe for kids will leave you spell bound!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked elbow pasta
- 8 ounces Cheddar, 1/2 of the amount cubed, ½ shredded
- 8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup finely grated onions
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees for 3 minutes. Then take a large bowl and toss the pasta and cheese cubes together.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Then take another bowl and add flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, nutmeg and dry mustard.
- Then add sour cream, heavy cream, and onions.
- Pour it over the pasta and sprinkle Cheddar cheese over it. Bake the macaroni for about 35 minutes.
7. Double cheese macaroni
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This is a kid friendly mac and cheese recipe full of taste and the goodness of cheese, but with less fat.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of cooked macaroni
- 3 cups of 4% cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup butter cubed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 3 cups half-and-half cream
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Place cottage cheese in a food processor and process until it is smooth.
- Then take a large saucepan and melt butter. Then stir in flour, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Gradually add cream and milk.
- Cook for about 2 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
- In another bowl, add macaroni, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and white sauce. Toss to coat well.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs over it.
- Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees.
8. Ranch mac and cheese
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Ingredients:
- 1 pound of macaroni
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter cubed
- 1 sachet ranch salad dressing mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- In a saucepan, combine milk, ranch dressing mix, butter, seasoning and heat for 2 minutes.
- Then stir in Colby cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until it melts.
- Then add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Garnish it with Parmesan cheese.
9. Creamy macaroni ‘n’ cheese
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Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onions
- 31/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 13/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
- 13/4 cups 2% cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
- Take a large microwave safe bowl and microwave the onion on high for 1 minute. Then add the macaroni, cheddar cheese, and parsley and leave it aside.
- In a blender jar, combine milk, cottage cheese, mustard, salt, pepper, and process until smooth.
- Then take a baking dish and coat with cooking spray.
- Bake the macaroni and cheese uncovered for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until it is light brown in color.
10. Colorful mac ‘n’ cheese
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Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups chopped zucchini
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
Direction:
- Take a large saucepan, heat the oil and sauté the zucchini and onion for 2 minutes.
- Then add in tomatoes, soup, milk, cheese, mustard, and basil. Cook it uncovered for 6 to 7 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Then add the cooked macaroni, vegetables and toss to coat well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you keep mac and cheese creamy for kids?
To create a creamy mac and cheese, consider using a milk alternative or dairy-free alternative such as almond, soy, cashew, or coconut milk. Alternatively, you can puree vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, or cauliflower to give the dish a creamy texture. To ensure a smooth sauce, slowly stir in the cheeses until they are fully melted. If you need to reheat the mac and cheese, adding a splash of milk can help restore its creamy consistency (1).
2. Why would you put eggs in macaroni and cheese?
Macaroni and cheese baked using eggs results in a dish with a casserole-like or custard-like consistency compared to the usual creamy texture of stovetop macaroni and cheese.
3. What are some creative ways to use cheese in kids’ lunches?
Incorporate cheese creatively into children’s lunch by making creamy quesadillas, cheese and veggie tortilla roll-ups, cheese-stuffed pasta shells, and cheese and cracker stacks. For a sweet and salty twist, you may also consider adding cheese cubes to fruit skewers.
4. What are some fun cheese-themed party food ideas for kids?
Host a cheese-themed party for children with fun food ideas like cheeseburger sliders, mini cheese pizza bites, cheese-stuffed meatballs, mac and cheese bites, and cheese and pretzel skewers.
5. What are some fun and interactive ways to involve kids in making cheese recipes?
Engage children in making cheese recipes by letting them choose cheese flavors, allowing hands-on tasks like grating and stirring, and providing a playful experience with a DIY cheese board containing numerous toppings.
Children love to eat Mac ‘n’ cheese. However, the traditional Mac ‘n’ cheese recipe has a low-nutritional profile. Hence, if your child wishes to eat this dish every day, we hope the above list of “macaroni and cheese recipes for kids” was helpful. We have listed recipes that can be prepared from scratch with wholesome ingredients. The above list includes the traditional recipe and an instant version to satisfy your child’s hunger within a few minutes. We suggest you ask your children to join you at the cooking top to make these recipes more delicious. Simultaneously serve some vegetables and protein-rich food on the side for a balanced meal.
Infographic: Delectable Macaroni and Cheese Snacks for Children
Cheese with pasta makes young children’s faces light up with delight. This popular comfort food can be made more interesting with creative recipes. Read this infographic to explore yummy macaroni and cheese snacks to prepare for your children. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Children love macaroni and cheese, a classic favorite.
- Cheese is a great source of calcium and protein for kids.
- Homemade mac-and-cheese can be made quickly, and can be healthier and tastier than pre-packaged versions.
- To entice a picky eater, you can add vegetables to the mac-and-cheese for added nutrition.
- Using different types of cheese can add variety to the taste and texture of the dish.
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Experience the irresistible flavor and nourishing qualities of a delectable mac and cheese, skillfully enhanced with hidden vegetables. This kid-friendly lunch option boasts a smooth and creamy texture that can be effortlessly prepared using our expert techniques.
References
- How to Make the Most Decadent Mac and Cheese; One Green Planet
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-make-the-most-decadent-mac-and-cheese/
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