Kid Approved: Swiss and Cheddar Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Swiss and Cheddar Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Like many others, our budget is feeling crunched these days and I am constantly on the lookout for cheap meal ideas. And while I am not even close to becoming a vegetarian, we have opted for more meatless meals as a way to save some cash at the grocery store.  

I found a great deal on cheese this week so I had cheddar and swiss on hand and decided to make macaroni and cheese.  I had to combine elbow pasta with shell pasta because I didn't have enough of either, but I just pretended I did it on purpose to be creative.

My daughter LOVES macaroni and cheese so we've been eating more of it lately.  The combination of cheeses in this macaroni and cheese recipe along with the seasonings make this version of mac and cheese sophisticated enough for the adult palate without alienating the children.  


Homemade Swiss and Cheddar Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe:
Ingredients:

8 oz Elbow Pasta (Whole Wheat or Whole Grain)

1/4 tsp Salt

2 tbsp light butter

1 tbsp Whole Wheat Flour

1 tbsp Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb

1 tbsp Onions

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

1 1/4 cups Skim Milk

2/3 cup 2% Milk Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1/2 cup Swiss Cheese

1/4 cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

Directions:

• Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions.
• In saucepan, melt butter.  Finely chop onions and saute in butter for a couple of minutes. I find the key to a good roux is to not burn your butter.  Cook over medium heat--not too high. Add Garlic and Herb seasoning and pepper.  Slowly add in flour and whisk to until all flour is absorbed.  Pour in milk and whisk.  Bring to a slow boil and stir constantly until mixture begins to thicken.  Remove from heat.  Stir in shredded cheeses.
• Transfer drained noodles to baking dish.  Pour cheese sauce over noodles and stir so cheese covers all the noodles.  sprinkle with bread crumbs.
• Bake at 350 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.

We enjoyed a side salad with Italian dressing as a light side to go with this macaroni and cheese recipe.  Here's a 1600 calorie meatless meal plan that will help you save some calories and some cents at the grocery store.

Breakfast- 358 Calories

2 Whole grain and Oatmeal Waffles

Fresh Sliced Strawberries

Powdered Sugar

Snack- 129 Calories

1 Cup Fresh Pineapple

1/4 cup reduced fat Cottage Cheese

Lunch- 390 Calories

Brown rice couscous

Chipotle Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Vegetables (Alexia's)

Snack- 114 Calories

Indoor S'more

Dinner- 603 Calories

Swiss and Cheddar Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Side Salad with Italian Dressing

Total Calories = 1595

If you are looking for more "Kid Approved Meals," check out this ebook full of 13 Weeks of Breakfast & Lunch Menus that are Kid-Tested & Mom Approved, with Categorized Grocery Shopping Lists Accompanying Each Menu. Perfect for Homeschool Families, Stay At Home Moms, and Daycare Providers.  If you have small children like me and are stuck in the peanut butter and jelly rut, this could be the perfect resource--especially with summer on its way!  Here's the link once again: Kid Approved Meals.