One of my favorite cookbooks for kids is Deceptively Delicious
. I love all the sneaky recipes that Jessica Seinfield has for busy mamas. She knows how hard it is to get those munchkins to eat their veggies. It can feel like a standoff when trying to get them to take those last few bites of vegetables. I love recipes like this macaroni and cheese because for the first time the white flags are waved in a truce, as those munchkins happily gobble up their mac and cheese. This is every busy mamas dream come true moment. I like to make this recipe with cauliflower puree, since that is usually what I have on hand. You can use squash puree or carrot puree too. So take your pick and get to cooking. Dinner just got a whole lot easier lovelies:)
“Healthy” Macaroni and Cheese
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni or shells
1 tbl olive oil
1 tbl all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
½ cup butternut squash puree, carrot
puree, or cauliflower puree
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 ounces cream cheese
½ tsp salt
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tbl flax seed (here is why I use it)
- Cook macaroni according to package
directions and drain. While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large
saucepan with cooking spray. Add the oil and flour. Mix together
until to it resembles a thick paste, but has not browned. This will
take 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the milk and cook, stirring every
now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the vegetable puree, shredded cheese, cream cheese, flax seed, and
seasonings. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is
smooth. Stir cooked macaroni. Serve warm.
*This recipe provides a great source of
calcium to that family of yours, a full serving to be exact :)
Print recipe HERE.
XO Danielle
Print recipe HERE.
XO Danielle
I was just wondering if you ever "splurge" and go out for dinner just you and your hubby or if you ALWAYS eat at home...don't you ever get a craving for some restaurant?
ReplyDeletehaha....I do love Sweet Tomatoes. It is a salad bar type of restaurant, with soups, pastas, and a bakery section. It is really yummy! I always get coupons in the mail, so we try to go there for special occasions like birthdays and stuff. That would be my place to splurge on, but we always pay cash:>
Deletewill definatly have to try this recipe Danielle,thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love that book too...I saw Jessica S on a t.v. show when it first came out. We really like the graham cracker ice cream sandwiches. I only wish this had come out years ago when my kids were little so I could have fun sneaking healthy foods onto them!
ReplyDeleteIf I use carrot purée,is it 1/2 cup? The recipe says "1/2 butternut squash...." and I'm assuming that meant 1/2 cup. I'm anxious to try this healthy recipe. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteyes it is 1/2 cup. Sorry about that. I fixed it in the post:>
DeleteI love your posts I'm sure bookmarking this!
ReplyDeleteMy family is all about homemade mac and cheese! I will have to try this butternut squash "sneak in" Sounds yummy.
ReplyDeleteMy family is all about homemade mac and cheese and we love squash! Will have to try this for sure.
ReplyDelete