What Age Can My Baby Eat Mac and Cheese
This Mac and Cheese for Baby will please the fussiest eater. It's tastier, healthier and less processed than store-made versions!
Homemade Mac and Cheese for 8 months +
Mac and Cheese is a meal my 21-month-old, Kai, would never reject. That's not surprising as I don't think many adults would reject a good mac and cheese either! I mean, who can resist pasta slathered in a cheesy buttery sauce?… unless there are too many veggies in it! But more of that later!
I love watching Kai eat. He's incredibly impatient! Using a fork to pick up the macaroni is way too slow, so he chucks it aside and goes back to basics by using his little hands. This leads me to reminisce about his infant days where he would adorably struggle to pick up macaroni and find his mouth. These days he quickly shoves the macaroni in his mouth until his cheeks puff out, then has trouble chewing them all at once. My little man is growing rapidly before my very eyes!
Mac and cheese was a dish that I ate when I was a broke student during my uni days but I didn't even make it myself. I bought those convenient, cheap boxes of macaroni with the cheese powder. It's funny that I never thought about making real Mac and Cheese until Kai was born. I guess, like most parents, we want the best for our children. It wouldn't have felt right feeding him those store-bought mac and cheese boxes. I don't even want to know what kind of stuff they put in there!
There are healthier options to feed our children than mac and cheese, but it's nice to treat them occasionally. Besides, when we're making this for them, we can sneak healthier ingredients in. Such as using a more nutritious type of pasta and adding some veggies in!
Fussy toddlers driving their parents insane
It's been a long while since I've posted a recipe dedicated to babies or toddlers. Health nurses encourage parents to feed babies the food they're eating when they're 12 months of age. I have tried to adapt to this, but there's no guarantee that Kai would eat what we were having, so I always had to have a backup meal ready for him, anyway!
Most times, before I cook or order food, I always think about Kai. Those days of eating as much spicy food or seafood as much as I wanted are long gone. Most times, we only get to eat these types of food when I'm recreating my favourite recipes for this blog! This is how much I am committed to you, Kai!
So here is where I'll be completely honest with you. I've tried placing different veggies in Kai's Mac and cheese. Most of the time it went terribly because I, being an overzealous mum, dumped loads of veggies in or used veggies I knew he would probably reject. I hoped that the flavour of the cheese sauce hid the taste of the veggies!
Nope, Kai is now too old to fool. I added half a cup of kale which I thought would have a mild taste. Kai took a few bites and pushed his bowl away. I have tried putting in carrots, spinach, corn and zucchini. He sometimes accepts these, but I have most luck when it's broccoli.
Then after that hurdle, think about quantity too! even if it's a vegetable that Kai tolerates, if I put too many in his Mac and cheese, he won't eat much of it. I always regret trying to be pushy with the veggies, because I rather see him eat most of this food than none of it.
Ingredients for Mac and Cheese for baby
Macaroni (elbows) – These days there are many healthier pasta varieties available to us! Supermarkets have veggie, fibre pasta, buckwheat, wholemeal pasta and many more. All these kinds of pasta will work, however, stick to the elbows or smaller macaroni, as they're quicker to cook over the stove.
Mozzarella cheese – I used mozzarella cheese as it's mild in taste and relatively low in fat and calories. It's also a healthier option compared to other types of cheese. However, any kind of melting cheese would work, such as mild cheddar.
Broccoli – I've tried cooking with lots of different veggies with Kai's Mac and Cheese. For us, he would always eat it if it's with broccoli, just as long as I don't place too much of it in. You may swap broccoli for a veggie your child would eat, such as corn, carrots, or zucchini. Chop the vegetable in safe sizes for your little one to prevent choking.
Onion powder – Always take the time to read the ingredients list on the label. The onion powder I used states that 'it may contain traces of sesame' which is a common food allergy. Dried parsley or any herbs and spices are good substitutions.
Salt – Please adjust the salt to the needs of your child. If your child is younger than 12 months, you may wish to skip adding salt altogether.
How to make Mac and Cheese for baby
Step-by-step guide with photos
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in garlic and stir quickly for a few seconds until fragrant, then add in the flour, stirring quickly for a minute. Once the mixture bubbles slowly pour in the milk, whilst whisking. It'll look lumpy at first but continue to whisk until smooth. Once the milk is hot, pour in the water and bring it to a boil.
Healthier Mac and Cheese for baby
Add in the macaroni, onion powder and salt, stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Add in the broccoli, and cook for 5 minutes or until the pasta and broccoli have softened. Stir regularly, so the pasta doesn't get stuck to the bottom of the pan. The Mac and cheese should look saucy, don't overcook it or it'll become too dry. Stir in the cheese until it has completely melted. The sauce will thicken more once the pasta cools down.
Leftovers – Allow the pasta to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate, it'll be good for up to 3 days. Frozen pasta will keep for up to 3 months.
Looking for snacks for your infant or toddler, try out these healthier SAUSAGE ROLLS or these irresistible and delicious HALLOUMI FRITTERS WITH PEAS
Cooking measurementsare in Australian standard spoon and cup measurements.
A Third-Party Application calculated the calories and nutritional information. Please use this as an approximate guide only.
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Cheers (I'll drink to that) – Cat Tre
Mac and Cheese for baby
This Mac and Cheese for Baby will please the fussiest eater. It's tastier, healthier and less processed than store-made versions!
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 serving
Calories 182 kcal
- 20 gm butter
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1½ tbsp plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 2 cup milk
- 2 cup water
- 1½ cup dried macaroni pasta (elbows) (NOTE 1)
- 1 tsp onion powder (NOTE 2)
- ¼ tsp salt (NOTE 3)
- ½ cup chopped broccoli (NOTE 4)
- ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese (NOTE 5)
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Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in garlic and stir quickly for a few seconds until fragrant, then add in the flour, stirring quickly for a minute. Once the mixture bubbles slowly pour in the milk, whilst whisking. It'll look lumpy at first but continue to whisk until smooth. Once the milk is hot, pour in the water and bring it to a boil.
-
Add in the macaroni, onion powder and salt, stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Add in the broccoli, and cook for 5 minutes or until the pasta and broccoli have softened. Stir regularly, so the pasta doesn't get stuck to the bottom of the pan. The Mac and cheese should look saucy, don't overcook it or it'll become too dry. Stir in the cheese until it has completely melted. The sauce will thicken more once the pasta cools down.
(NOTE 1) Macaroni (elbows) – These days there are many healthier pasta varieties available to us! Supermarkets have veggie, fibre pasta, buckwheat, wholemeal pasta and many more. All these kinds of pasta will work, however, stick to the elbows or smaller macaroni, as they're quicker to cook over the stove.
(NOTE 2) Onion powder – Always take the time to read the ingredients list on the label. The onion powder I used states that 'it may contain traces of sesame' which is a common food allergy. Dried parsley or any herbs and spices are good substitutions.
(NOTE 3) Salt – Please adjust the salt to the needs of your child. If your child is younger than 12 months, you may wish to skip adding salt altogether.
(NOTE 4) Broccoli – I've tried cooking with lots of different veggies with Kai's Mac and Cheese. For us, he would always eat it if it's with broccoli, just as long as I don't place too much of it in. You may swap broccoli for a veggie your child would eat, such as corn, carrots, or zucchini. Chop the vegetable in safe sizes for your little one to prevent choking.
(NOTE 5) Mozzarella cheese – I used mozzarella cheese as it's mild in taste and relatively low in fat and calories. It's also a healthier option compared to other types of cheese. However, any kind of melting cheese would work, such as mild cheddar.
Leftovers – Allow the pasta to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate, it'll be good for up to 3 days. Frozen pasta will keep for up to 3 months.
Cooking measurementsare in Australian standard spoon and cup measurements.
A Third-Party Application calculated the calories and nutritional information. Please use this as an approximate guide only.
Serving: 1 serving Calories: 182 kcal Carbohydrates: 24 g Protein: 7 g Fat: 6 g Saturated Fat: 3 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 17 mg Sodium: 167 mg Potassium: 168 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 4 g Vitamin A: 244 IU Vitamin C: 5 mg Calcium: 117 mg Iron: 1 mg
What Age Can My Baby Eat Mac and Cheese
Source: https://3catsfoodie.com/mac-and-cheese-for-baby/
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