for those with kids that won't eat homemade mac and cheese!

[lil_earthmomma]

I think I've found the solution to the picky ''it isn't like the (disgusting) stuff in the blue box''!!!

Ready for it...


A drizzle of maple syrup!!! Sounds weird right? Well that (hideous) stuff in the blue box is sweet sweet sweet! It doesn't even taste like cheese! I made a huge batch for a potluck last night, separated the kid stuff from the adult stuff (added smoked gouda to that, and some dijon mustard and onion and garlic and drizzled a tiny bit of maple syrup into the kid stuff. Not enough that it tasted maple-y, but enough to give it a bit of sweetness and make it more like the store bought @#$%.

:

The kids gobbled it up! I can share my recipe if anyone wants it!

[Princess ConsuelaB]

Really? Do share!

[lil_earthmomma]

1 package macaroni noodles (I actually used cavatappi yesterday!)
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup cream
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 1/2 cups good quality shredded cheddar cheese
(for the grown up version I added some smoked gouda, and about 1 1/2 tbsp dijon as well as green onion)

Cook pasta and drain.

Melt butter in large saucepan. Whisk in flour until smooth and allow to brown. Add cream and milk and whisk until thickened. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of cheese. Whisk until smooth. Add back to reduced heat and add the other cup of cheese. Don't be afraid to add a little extra milk if it's looking too thick, but you do want it nice and thick. Add salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Add drizzle of maple syrup until it tastes just a teeny bit sweet and kraft dinner ish. At this point add your grown up ingredients if you like.

Toss the pasta and the sauce into an oven safe dish and cover in the last 1/2 cup of cheese. Stick oven at 375, for 20 min.

Allow to stand for a couple min and then devour!!! :

The nice thing about this recipe is it has possibility for infinite variations!