Dump that blue box with it’s artificially colored powder. It doesn’t take much more effort to make real macaroni and cheese and the steps are pretty much the same. This version is higher in fiber and doesn’t contain weird chemicals or fake food.
It’s an easy, great wintertime lunch, and a staple around here!
The steps are basically the same as the boxed stuff- boil noodles, stir together butter, milk, and cheese, add in noodles.
Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat or high fiber pasta (elbows, medium shells, or penne work best)
8 oz. cheese, shredded (sharp cheddar works well- the strong flavor helps keep the pasta from tasting too bland.)
1 bag frozen veggies, optional (we like broccoli or peas)
1 c. milk
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
Directions:
Boil noodles. When pasta is almost done, dump in bag of frozen veggies, bring back to a boil, then remove from heat and drain in a colander.
Put pot back on stove. Melt butter and stir in flour. Add 1-2 c. of milk (depending on how soupy you like your mac n cheese), stirring until thickened.
Remove pot from heat and stir in cheese. Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings. I like to add a little chili powder to brighten the flavor, and salt is important to help it taste “cheesier”.
Add hot noodles and veggies, stir to coat with cheese sauce.
Serves 6, and depending on how much you pay for cheese, runs less than $4 including veggies.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been making a lot of cheese sauces lately, but I always find that they end up a little grainy… Any suggestions?
It might be the type of cheese- preshredded cheese is coated in cornstarch sometimes so it won’t stick together in the bag, and lowfat cheese melts weird. Also some types of cheeses (and brands) melt better than others.
Have you tried making a white sauce first and making sure it’s smooth? Another favorite here is to make a white cheese sauce by simply melting cream cheese.
I do know that if the pan’s too hot the cheese tightens up and that could cause it too. Sometimes with aluminum pans it’s hard to keep an even, moderate heat and if your pan has “hot spots” it could cause this. Try using a lower heat and a heavy bottomed pan.
(Oops! I just realized I forgot to say take the pot off the heat before stirring in cheese/noodles! Off to fix that!)
Now I know if you can make this for lunch and you have twice as many kids as me, I better be able to do it too!!!!
And you know I love me some cheese and pasta, and so do my kids. I have never made mac and cheese stove top (from scratch), can you believe it? But you know what , I think I’m making this for lunch today. I have two kiddos who are a little under the weather and think this may do the trick. Thanks mama!
Oh and I didn’t get to tell you last night but you looked beautiful. No lie. You always are stunning, but last night you were really glowing. Have a great day. Hope to see you soon.
Aww thanks Nicki!
We’re having noodles for lunch today too. It’s my “go to” quick and easy meal – it makes a lot and it makes up fast!
Just finished making it! Sooooo good. Though, I think we’ll keep some to serve with our leftovers for dinner tonight. If it lasts that long. I keep nibbling at it. I can’t believe it whipped up so quick, and is so good!
Thanks girl!
My Mom wouldn’t know a box of mac and cheese if it jumped up and down on a shelf- we grew up on the home made variety. So when I was feeling under the weather last week and found I had ingredients to make it from scratch and no fake mac’n cheese in a box – I called Mom for the directions. I too couldn’t believe how easy it was – I vowed then and there that there was no room for the fake stuff in my larder anymore. Having made it twice now in the last week, I do mine in the microwave and use corn starch instead of flour. Basically making a white sauce with cheese just make sure you don’t let it boil over and stir well. Once the sauce is made stir in the cheese and then add the pasta.
I am SO trying this. I’m going to make this tonight, I think. My kids like the Crazy Bugs mac and cheese, which is at least real food. There’s no preservatives or coloring or garbage. That said, if I could make it myself it would be a lot of fun. (Plus, my little one, who has been a picky eater as late, might actually eat more if she had a hand in stirring and pouring and such.)
Thanks again! –KB
I have been waiting for the last blue box of mac ‘n’ cheese to be gone so I would be forced to try this. Just did and it’s delicious! I’m not going back to the boxed stuff! Thanks!