Mom a la Mode’s 10 Minute Mac n’ Cheese

It was one of those afternoons where Mom a la Mode really wanted to pull out her hair. 

And when I looked up at the clock to find it was 5pm — dinner time at our house — I frantically realized that I had nothing prepared for my 22-month old son.

Raise your hand if you’ve been there…

 “What do you want to eat, Roc?”

“Cheese!”

Knowing that I couldn’t hand him a slice of American cheese for supper, I was forced to think on my feet.  I knew the meal had to be nourishing and tot-friendly.  And given the time crunch, it had to incorporate ingredients I already had on-hand.

And that’s really how Mom a la Mode’s 10 minute Mac n’ Cheese came to be. 

It’s so easy to make — using only FIVE ingredients and ONE pot — and I promise that once you try it, you will not want to even pick up the organic boxed version again (yucky powder packets – no, no, no!)

 Enjoy!

Mom a la Mode’s 10 minute Mac n’ Cheese©
(enough for 2-3 toddler servings)

Ingredients:

¼ box Ronzoni Quick Cook Rotini (cooks in 3 minutes)
1.5 TBSPS Butter
1TBSP Flour
about a ½ cup of Milk
½ cup shredded cheddar
Optional: frozen veggie of your choice.  Roc likes peas and carrots but you can try spinach, broccoli, etc.

Steps:
1. Boil macaroni according to package directions.  Do not overcook!
2. Once boiled, strain macaroni and leave it in strainer.
3. Using the pot you just boiled the macaroni in, melt the butter.
4. Slowly add the flour, mixing well with a silicon spatula. Let this cook for about 2 minutes.
5. Slowly add the milk, mixing well with spatula. Let this thicken up, stirring often, for about 2-3 minutes. (You’ll know it’s the right consistency once it sticks to the back of your spatula.)
6. Add the shredded cheese, mixing well until fully melted. And then toss in macaroni.
7. At this point, add your frozen veggies in (they will thaw in the molten-hot cheese sauce!)

You’ll have enough left over for at least two other servings.  (It tastes especially delicious when reheated the next day!)

{This is an original recipe of Mom a la Mode’s. Please feel free to share with others, but kindly include credit to Mom a la Mode (http://momalamode.net) if printing, posting via social media, sharing electronically, etc.}