Looking for Healthy, KID friendly, MacNCheese

Amanda - posted on 12/10/2009

I just add cooked ground beef to the macaroni.

Shannon - posted on 10/06/2009

try www.parents.com they have a ton of stuff.

Wanita (Wendy) - posted on 10/05/2009

Try Rachel Ray's Yummo recipies. She's designed them to be healthy and kid friendly.

Karina - posted on 10/05/2009

jessica seinfelds recipe for mac and cheese with pureed cauliflower is sneeky and really delicious....my son didnt even know what was in it but ate it all up.

it's from her book....deceptively delicious.

good luck, karina...australia.

Cara - posted on 10/04/2009

Hi Crystal,

I too love to cook, and try to avoid making things straight from the box. I get the boxed mac-n-cheese, then cut down on the butter and use skim milk. Next add some diced sausage, pork, or turkey dog and diced veggies that have been sauteed for a bit. The veggies add a fun bit of color and the meat gives extra protein while not adding too much fat to the overall recipe.

Hope this helps!

Cathy - posted on 10/04/2009

Hi Crystal!



I just made this for dinner the other day for my kids. They have always liked this recipe. I got it from my Down Home Cookin Without the Down Home Fat cookbook. I also found some other free recipes on the Cooking for Busy People website that you might want to check out. I hope you like it as much as we do!





Pizza Pasta

This is a fun and inexpensive way to spruce up a plain box of macaroni and cheese.



2 (7 1/4-ounce) boxes macaroni and cheese mix

1 envelope Butter Buds

1 cup skim milk

1 (14-ounce) jar pizza sauce with ground sausage

8 ounces fat-free shredded cheese (optional)



• Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the package directions substituting Butter Buds for the butter and 1 cup skim milk for 1/2 cup milk.

• Preheat the oven to broil. Transfer the macaroni to an oven-safe dish.

• Stir in the pizza sauce.

• Top with the cheese, if desired.

• Broil for 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

• Serve hot.



Note: This can be made in advance, frozen and baked at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes when needed.



Yield: 8 (1-cup) servings



Calories: 259; Fat: 4g (15% fat); Cholesterol: 10mg; Carbohydrate: 46g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Protein: 10g; Sodium: 684mg



Preparation time: 20 minutes (includes macaroni preparation)

Cooking time: 3 minutes or less

Total time: 23 minutes or less

Tara - posted on 10/04/2009

Quoting Crystal:



Looking for Healthy, KID friendly, MacNCheese



My son and his cousins love mac n cheese, but I'd love to make it more healthy for them. I am looking for some ideas that are kid friendly and approved. I have found healthy mac n cheese ideas online for adults, but none that seem like something they'd enjoy eatting. Any ideas? I am very kitchen savy and love to cook, so recipes of any difficulty are fine.

Erika - posted on 10/04/2009

I sneek some pureed carrots in the cheese sauce or broccoli. The cheese sauce usually over powers the vegetables taste in it so they don't even know that you snuck something healthy in there for them. Muahhahahahahaha!

Margaret - posted on 10/02/2009

I have a nice recipie using pumpkin soup and cream cheese. I am trying to keep my kids off anything artificial. My kids have no idea that pumpkin is in it as the colours are the same. They love it. Happy to forward the recipie on if you wish.

Erika - posted on 10/01/2009

I do not have a recipe I just do it by feel.....

Elbow Macaroni cooked

a can of Cream of Mushroom soup

and Cheese of your choice...

Mix soup and cheese over low-med. heat til cheese is melted

Add your Macaroni and serve.....

good luck