Top 12 Healthy Macaroni and Cheese Recipes for Kids

Introduction Macaroni and cheese, a beloved comfort food, is a staple in many households, especially when it comes to pleasing kids. However, traditional mac and cheese recipes are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients. In this article, we'll explore 12 delicious and nutritious macaroni and cheese recipes for kids. These recipes not only prioritize health but also deliver the mouthwatering taste kids adore. Let's dive into these delectable dishes, paying attention to the ingredients and how to make each one. 1. Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese One of the best ways to sneak in some extra veggies is through this Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam or boil the butternut squash until it's tender, then blend it with the milk until smooth. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the butternut squash mixture into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. 2. Broccoli and Cheddar Mac and cheese Broccoli and cheddar make a winning combination in this healthy mac and cheese recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups broccoli florets 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Broccoli and Cheddar Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam the broccoli until tender. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and add the steamed broccoli. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese Sometimes, the best way to get kids to eat their vegetables is to hide them in their favorite dish. This Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese does just that. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups cauliflower florets 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam the cauliflower until tender. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and add the steamed cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper. 4. Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese Get some greens into your kid's diet with this Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, chopped 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add mozzarella cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and add the chopped spinach and artichoke hearts. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Sweet potatoes add a dose of nutrition and a delightful color to this mac and cheese. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam or boil the sweet potatoes until they're tender, then blend them with the milk until smooth. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and season with salt and pepper. 6. Pesto Mac and Cheese This Pesto Mac and Cheese recipe combines the creaminess of traditional mac and cheese with the vibrant flavors of basil and pine nuts. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup basil pesto 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Pesto Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add mozzarella cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and fold in the basil pesto. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Carrot Mac and Cheese Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Carrot Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam or boil the carrots until they're tender, then blend them with the milk until smooth. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the carrot mixture into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and season with salt and pepper. 8. Tomato and Basil Mac and Cheese Tomato and basil create a flavorful twist on traditional mac and cheese. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 large tomatoes, diced 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Tomato and Basil Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped basil, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper. 9. Zucchini Mac and Cheese Zucchini adds a delightful crunch and a burst of green to this mac and cheese recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups zucchini, grated 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Zucchini Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and fold in the grated zucchini. Season with salt and pepper. 10. Avocado Mac and Cheese Avocado lends its creamy texture and healthy fats to this unique mac and cheese recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 ripe avocados 1 cup low-fat milk 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Avocado Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Blend the avocados with milk until smooth. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the avocado mixture into the roux and mix well. Add mozzarella cheese and Parmesan, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper. 11. Cauliflower Buffalo Mac and Cheese For a bit of a spicy kick, try this Cauliflower Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 2 cups cauliflower florets 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup buffalo sauce Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Cauliflower Buffalo Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. Steam or boil the cauliflower until it's tender. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese, Parmesan, and buffalo sauce, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni and add the steamed cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper. 12. Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a protein boost to this wholesome mac and cheese. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat macaroni 1 cup low-fat milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt Salt and pepper to taste How to Make Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese Cook macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a separate pot, make a roux by heating olive oil and adding flour, stirring constantly until it turns golden. Pour the milk into the roux and mix well. Add cheddar cheese, Parmesan, and Greek yogurt, stirring until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Combine the sauce with the cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper. Conclusion These 12 healthy macaroni and cheese recipes for kids prove that it's possible to combine kid-friendly flavors with wholesome ingredients. By replacing the usual high-calorie, low-nutrient elements with nutrient-dense alternatives, you can create delicious, creamy mac and cheese that both you and your children will love. Experiment with these recipes to find your family's favorites, and enjoy a healthier twist on a beloved classic.

6. Pesto Mac and Cheese

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