Bushra Griffith
Macaroni and cheese is a great meal option for babies and toddlers who are still experimenting with food. It is a good source of complex carbohydrates and calcium and can be a tasty way to introduce new flavours and textures. When preparing macaroni and cheese for a baby, it is important to cook it from scratch to avoid high salt content and use pasteurized cheese to ensure food safety. This dish can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, mild cheddar, or soft cheeses like cottage cheese or cream cheese. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of pasta, such as vegetable, buckwheat, or wholemeal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended age | From around eight months, if already on solids and not allergic or intolerant to lactose or gluten |
| Ingredients | Pasta, cheese, milk, butter, flour, vegetables (e.g. broccoli, carrots, butternut squash, cauliflower) |
| Variations | Baked, stovetop, mac and cheese muffins, macaroni elbows, vegetable/wholemeal pasta |
| Preparation | Boil pasta, melt butter, add flour, stir in milk, add cheese, combine with pasta, bake or cook on stovetop |
| Serving suggestions | Serve immediately, can be garnished with parsley, leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Mac and cheese muffins for baby-led weaning
Mac and cheese is a great recipe for baby-led weaning as part of a balanced diet. It is a good source of complex carbohydrates and calcium. Here is a recipe for Mac and Cheese Muffins, which are a great way to introduce new flavours and textures.
Ingredients:
- Carrots
- Milk
- Garlic
- Butter
- Flour
- Cheese
- Thyme
- Pasta
- Brown breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF.
- Add the carrots, milk, and garlic to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Heat a pan over medium heat, melt the butter, and then spoon in the flour.
- Stir the mixture well for about 2 minutes. It is important to cook the flour in the butter until it turns smooth and silky.
- Turn the heat down to a simmer, then slowly pour in the milk mixture, stirring well to prevent lumps.
- Keep stirring until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add the cheese and stir until melted, then add the thyme.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, then spoon into muffin cases.
- Sprinkle with brown breadcrumbs and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden.
- Leave until slightly warm before removing from the muffin cases.
These muffins can be served chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warmed. They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
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How to make mac and cheese without milk or butter
This guide will teach you how to make mac and cheese without milk or butter, a classic dish that your baby is sure to love! It is creamy, cheesy, and comforting, and can be made without the need for milk or butter.
Ingredients:
- Macaroni
- Chicken broth/stock
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Method:
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, but remember to reserve some of the starchy pasta water (about 1/2 cup).
- In a separate saucepan, heat the chicken broth until it reaches a boil. Add the cooked macaroni to the broth and stir frequently until most of the liquid has been absorbed, but it is still wet enough to mix in the cheese.
- Add the cubed cream cheese, spices, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth.
- If the sauce is too runny, add some extra cheese to thicken it.
- Finally, mix in the cooked macaroni and serve immediately.
Tips:
- For a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute the cheeses with dairy-free or vegan alternatives, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- You can also add butter for extra flavour, or use oil if you don't have butter.
- Try using different types of pasta shapes, such as shells or cavatappi, for a fun twist.
- Grate your own cheese to avoid the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded cheese, which can make the sauce gritty.
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Baked macaroni and cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasta (elbow macaroni or medium shells are commonly used, but you can experiment with different types)
- Cheese (cheddar or a blend of different cheeses such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Mild Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Gruyère)
- Milk (whole milk or plant-based milk such as cashew milk)
- Butter (regular salted butter)
- Flour (all-purpose flour)
- Optional: vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, or butternut squash
Instructions:
- Boil the pasta in a pan of water for 10-12 minutes or until soft. Be sure not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a pan over low heat. Add flour and mix well. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and thick.
- Add grated cheese to the sauce, stirring in a handful at a time until melted before adding more. You can also add optional seasonings like nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to an oven-proof baking dish. Top with an extra layer of cheese to create a crispy, browned top layer.
- Bake in the oven at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned and the sauce is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes before serving.
You can also add vegetables to the dish for extra nutrition and flavour. Simply dice or grate the vegetables and add them to the cheese sauce before combining it with the pasta. Enjoy watching your baby indulge in this comforting and delicious meal!
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Stovetop macaroni and cheese
This is a simple and tasty recipe for stovetop macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food that's perfect for the whole family. It's a great option for busy weeknights and can be adapted with extra ingredients like vegetables or meat for a more substantial meal.
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (macaroni, shells, elbows, or wagon wheels)
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a combination)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: breadcrumbs, Parmesan, crushed crackers, cooked bacon, vegetables
Method:
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir to create a roux, cooking for 3-5 minutes.
- Warm the milk separately in the microwave or in a small saucepan over medium heat. This will help create a smoother sauce.
- Gradually add the warm milk to the roux, whisking continuously until you achieve a creamy and thick consistency.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the cheese, stirring until melted. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination of cheeses for extra flavour.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
- Serve immediately.
Variations and Tips:
- For a thicker sauce, double the amount of pasta used.
- If desired, bake the stovetop macaroni and cheese in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Top with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, or crushed crackers before baking.
- To make it a more well-rounded meal, add cooked vegetables like broccoli, peas, or carrots, or meats such as cooked bacon or ground beef.
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Vegetables to add to mac and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a great recipe for weaning babies as part of a balanced diet. It is a good source of complex carbohydrates and calcium. You can add vegetables to macaroni and cheese to change the flavour and add extra nutrition.
Some vegetables that go well with macaroni and cheese include broccoli, butternut squash, tomatoes, and spinach. You can also add peas, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, cauliflower, kale, and asparagus. If you want to add a spicy kick to your macaroni and cheese, you can add green chiles or chilli powder.
You can roast or blanch the vegetables before adding them to the dish. Alternatively, you can make a vegetable puree and add it to the cheese sauce.
- Boil water and add salt.
- Add the pasta and cook until soft.
- While the pasta is cooking, grate the cheese and prepare the vegetables.
- For vegetables that need to be cooked, such as broccoli and butternut squash, you can roast them to add a nice caramelized flavor.
- Chop up the vegetables and arrange them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes.
- Prepare a roux white sauce by melting butter in a pan and adding flour. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
- Add the grated cheese, vegetables, and any desired spices to the sauce.
- Combine the drained pasta with the sauce and vegetables.
- For a baked macaroni and cheese, pour the mixture into a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs and additional cheese, and bake until browned.
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Frequently asked questions
Macaroni and cheese can be given to babies around one year if they are already on solids and are not allergic or intolerant to lactose or gluten.
You can use traditional elbow macaroni or small shells, or experiment with healthier pasta varieties like vegetable, fibre, buckwheat, or wholemeal pasta.
Soft, pasteurized cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, and ricotta are safe for babies to eat. Avoid any cheese made from unpasteurized milk, as it can contain harmful bacteria.
Yes, you can add vegetables to macaroni and cheese for your baby. Try broccoli, carrots, corn, zucchini, or butternut squash. Chop the vegetables into small, safe sizes to prevent choking.
To make macaroni and cheese for your baby, start by boiling the pasta until soft. Melt butter in a separate pan and add flour, stirring until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Add grated cheese and stir until melted. Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. You can also add vegetables to the sauce or experiment with different types of pasta.
