Healthier mac n'cheese?

deltagirl79

Does anyone have a recipie for mac n'cheese that their LO likes? The only kind I've ever made was the Kraft kind in the box and I think that has a lot of sodium so I don't really want to give it to DS. TIA!!

mandyclaire579

Annie's makes a whole wheat variety, an "ancient grain" variety, and a lower sodium one. I make it, add a little extra cheese, peas, carrots, zucchini, and tuna. All the veggies really stretch it so it lasts for a few days.

mechanicsgirl

I don't know about healthy, but this is homemade and delicious (DH requests it every week).

1 medium onion, chopped

8  half slices bacon

1 1/2 cups pasta, cooked (any pasta, DD likes radiatore and elbows)

4 oz Gouda, shredded

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup heavy cream (I use half whole milk, half heavy cream)

 

Cook bacon, leave the drippings in pan.  Saute onion in the drippings.  Set both aside to cool.  Crumble bacon.

Combine all ingredients, bake covered at 350 for 30 min.  uncover, sprinkle a little extra mozzarella over it, and bake an additional 15 min.

Let set 10 min. 

Delicious, and you can add all kinds of different veggies (broccoli, peas, etc) or substitute chicken or hamburger instead of bacon.

 

deltagirl79

mechanicsgirl:

I don't know about healthy, but this is homemade and delicious (DH requests it every week).

1 medium onion, chopped

8 slices bacon

1 1/2 cups pasta, cooked (any pasta, DD likes radiatore and elbows)

4 oz Gouda, shredded

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup heavy cream (I use half whole milk, half heavy cream)

 

Cook bacon, leave the drippings in pan.  Saute onion in the drippings.  Set both aside to cool.  Crumble bacon.

Combine all ingredients, bake covered at 350 for 30 min.  uncover, sprinkle a little extra mozzarella over it, and bake an additional 15 min.

Let set 10 min. 

Delicious, and you can add all kinds of different veggies (broccoli, peas, etc) or substitute chicken or hamburger instead of bacon.

 

omg, that looks so good. I'm thinking that may be tonights dinner.

NewFamily09

When I make kraft mac n cheese for DS (which is rarely, for the reasons you said) I add pureed butternut squash.  It's the same color as the mac n cheese, but adds a veggie.  He doesn't even realize it.  He loves it.

carlab44

I make a stove top macaroni and cheese with roasted tomatoes using the following recipe. I also take fresh spinach and chop it up very finely, then add it near the end. It cooks the spinach enough, and if I chop it finely DS has no problem eating it.

 

Ingredients

• 3  cups  halved cherry tomatoes
• Cooking spray
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
• 12  ounces  large elbow macaroni
• 2  cups  (8 ounces) shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4  cup  egg substitute
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  kosher salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1  (12-ounce) can evaporated low-fat milk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375?.

Place tomatoes in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with black pepper. Bake at 375? for 30 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.

Cook macaroni in boiling water 7 minutes; drain. Return macaroni to pan; place over medium-low heat. Add cheese and remaining ingredients; cook 4 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring constantly. Stir in tomatoes.

bethCT

NewFamily09:

When I make kraft mac n cheese for DS (which is rarely, for the reasons you said) I add pureed butternut squash.  It's the same color as the mac n cheese, but adds a veggie.  He doesn't even realize it.  He loves it.

ditto - or carrot/tomato gerber baby food.

ToBeMrsC6907

Ditto the Annie's, for when I need a quick fix meal.  I only buy the whole wheat varieities and I add peas, carrotts, spinach, broccoli, diced ham- whatever I have on hand.  DS likes it, and so do DH and I!

ljlkm

I try to feed DS as little processed food as possible, so I make mac & cheese from scratch. I love this recipe (so easy you don't have to pre-boil the macaroni!): https://smittenkitchen.com/2006/10/cheddar-and-elbows-exalted/

suscq

mandyclaire579:

Annie's makes a whole wheat variety, an "ancient grain" variety, and a lower sodium one. I make it, add a little extra cheese, peas, carrots, zucchini, and tuna. All the veggies really stretch it so it lasts for a few days.

DD doesn't like cheese so she doesn't eat it, but I love the Annie's mac n cheese.  They also have a quick single serve version you can make in the microwave that is good.  I like to put broccoli in it.

randa603

I make this mac & cheese from "Deceptively Delicious".  I freeze it in one ounce portions in my fresh babyfood trays...then transfer it to a freezer bag.  That way I always have it on hand when I need it.  DD prefers it with the cauliflower.

https://www.oprah.com/food/Macaroni-and-Cheese-1-with-Butternut-Squash-or-Cauliflower

I found the book at big lots for $3.  I've also seen it a TJMax...

SusieQ1982

Mine is very quick and simple. It's not low fat but babies shouldn't be eating low fat anyway.

I don't really measure... I melt a little butter in a pan and then stir in whole wheat flour to make a paste. Add milk slowly and continue stirring- this process takes at least 5 minutes while the milk thickens. When it is a sauce like consistency, add in shredded cheese to taste. Mix in cooked pasta and your choice of veggies and spices and enjoy.

Traycee1242

I just make some organic whole wheat pasta and mix it with organic whole milk cottage cheese.

DS loves it!

starlingrose

Make it yourself so you can control the sodium,

Use whole wheat pasta

Use skim milk, less cheese for sauce

Add a veggie puree to the sauce like sweet potato or cauliflower or carrot

Viola!