Kids Mac & Cheese Recipe
Make Kids Mac & Cheese Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (Optional)
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil.
- 2
Cook Macaroni
Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the macaroni in a colander and set aside.
Making Cheese Sauce
- 4
- 5
Add Flour
Once the butter is melted, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- 6
Pour in Milk
Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
- 7
Add Cheese and Seasoning
Reduce heat to low, and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 0.5 tsp of salt, 0.25 tsp of black pepper, and 0.5 tsp of paprika until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
- 8
Combine
Add the drained macaroni back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir well to coat the macaroni evenly with the sauce.
Optional Topping
- 9
Prepare Topping
If using, mix 0.5 cups of breadcrumbs with 0.25 cups of grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- 10
Add Topping
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese.
- 11
Bake (Optional)
For a crispy topping, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15 minutes.
