This Homemade Mac and Cheese for Kids (Creamy and Easy!) is the ultimate comfort food that the whole family will enjoy! It tastes better than boxed Mac and Cheese but without the long list of added ingredients!
My kids love Mac and Cheese, and I have made multiple versions to try to please them, but they were never too excited about it. My son attends preschool and loves what they offer there, so I had to ask how they made theirs! And to my surprise, it was so simple! However, the key was the type of cheese they used; instead of the classic cheddar, they used a blend of American and Swiss cheese.
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Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Quick: We’ve all been more often than we liked, rushing to make dinner or an extra busy day without time to think about what to make. So, this recipe is truly a lifesaver and my go-to recipe. It only uses macaroni, cheese, milk, butter, and flour as a thickening agent.
- Simple Ingredients: Making it homemade means controlling what’s added to the recipe. We have all had boxed mac and cheese, and nothing is wrong with it, but I will tell you this is so easy that I am ditching the boxed option and all its artificial ingredients for good!
- Tastes delicious: The secret to yumminess is my mix of cheeses. Swiss and American give the perfect balance. I tried making this recipe with extra sharp cheddar cheese, and my kids didn’t enjoy it, not even mild cheddar.
- Freezes well: You can freeze Mac and Cheese in small portions and defrost them in the microwave. Add a splash of milk if needed.
- Picky eater approved: This recipe is great for picky eaters. It’s homemade, which is always healthier than store-bought, and you can slowly introduce a few modifications to make it more nutritious, such as adding peas, broccoli, or other veggies.
Recipe Ingredients
- Yellow American Cheese: Shred your own at home for best results.
- Swiss Cheese: Baby or regular Swiss cheese will work.
- Milk: I use whole milk, as kids need full-fat dairy in their diets for growth and brain development. But any milk of choice will work.
- Butter.
- All-purpose flour: We use some flour mixed with butter and milk to make a creamy roux and then add the cheeses.
- Elbow Macaroni.
Step-by-step instructions
This homemade macaroni and cheese is so easy to make that only a few steps are needed:
- In a small saucepan, boil some water over medium heat.
- Add the elbow pasta and cook according to package instructions until desired softness. It will take about 8 minutes.
- In a frying pan, add the butter and flour. Mix until the butter melts, then add the milk.
- Stir constantly until it forms a cream.
- Add shredded cheese and mix until thoroughly melted.
- Drain the elbow macaroni and stir into the cheesy sauce.
- Serve immediately.
See the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Tips to Make the Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Shred your cheese or cut sliced cheese into small pieces before melting. This will allow the cheese to melt more quickly. Pre-shredded cheese influences the flavor, as some other ingredients are added to avoid caking, and it does not melt as well!
- Use the types of cheese suggested in this recipe for the best flavor. If you use other types of cheese, this recipe will change substantially, as the combination of cheeses makes it perfect!
- Do not overcook the pasta. Cook until it’s al dente, add it to the cheesy sauce, and let it soften a little more.
Tools Needed
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: You can store homemade Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freezer: Let the mac and cheese cool, add to storage containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions and Substitutions
Main course:
- You can use the pasta boiling water to cook some frozen peas and add to the serving.
- Add extra cheese on top for additional protein.
- Add nutritional yeast.
- Add steamed broccoli or fruits as a side; they are great options.
Side dish:
- Serve this creamy homemade mac and cheese with beef hamburgers or chicken patties.
Substitutions:
- You can use whole wheat elbow macaroni or gluten-free pasta if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you offer kids mac and cheese, the best combination I have tested is a blend of American and Swiss cheeses.
Do not overcook the pasta. Cook until it’s al dente, add it to the cheesy sauce, and let it soften a little more.
Some may say that cooking macaroni in milk can create a richer and creamier sauce. But I found it not to be worth the extra work. When cooking pasta in milk, you must stir it constantly, as the milk will boil, overflow the pan, and make a mess on your stovetop. Plus, you use much more milk in the recipe, which is a waste.
Other Easy Recipes That You May Like
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🥣Recipe
Homemade Mac and Cheese for Kids (Creamy and Easy!)
Equipment
- 1 Sauce pan
- 1 Frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 1 1/4 cup cheese American and Swiss (make a 50/50 blend)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, boil some water over medium heat.
- Add the elbow pasta and cook according to package instructions until desired softness. It will take about 8 minutes.
- In a frying pan, add the butter and flour. Mix until the butter melts, then add the milk. Stir constantly until it forms a cream.
- Add shredded cheese and mix until fully melted.
- Drain the elbow macaroni and stir into the cheesy sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese or cut sliced cheese into small pieces before melting. This will allow the cheese to melt more easily. Using pre-shredded cheese influences the flavor as there are some other ingredients added to avoid caking, and it does not melt as well!
- Use the types of cheese suggested in this recipe for the best flavor. If you use other types of cheese this recipe will change substantially as the combination of cheeses is what makes it perfect!
- Do not overcook the pasta, cook until it’s al dente and then add to the cheesy sauce and let it soften a little more.
Nutrition
Meal Planning Bundle
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