How to Make a Macaroni and Cheese Bar
Sometimes the hardest part about cooking for my family is finding food that everyone will eat. Taco night is easy because everyone picks their own food, so I decided to expand on this idea and make a macaroni and cheese bar. It was a hit! Everyone got to pick what they wanted to go in their macaroni and cheese, or in some cases, on the side. Everyone was happy and it was a pretty easy meal. I love when everyone can eat the same meal!
I make the macaroni and cheese homemade, everyone in my family likes it the best. I love it because I can pick what kinds of cheese I want to use, sometimes I use sharp cheddar and medium cheddar, other times I use gouda or pepperjack. I also add a little cayenne pepper for a little spice, but my kids can still eat it and they do not like spicy things. You can adjust the cayenne pepper to your families needs.
Next, I pick at least two different kinds of meats so we have options. This time I picked chicken breast and lean hamburger, everyone in my family likes both so it was easy. Other good options are kielbasa, steak, hotdogs, or any other meat that your family enjoys.
The final option is vegetables, there are so many vegetable options! This time I picked cauliflower and broccoli, but you can pick any that you want. I love mushrooms with mine, nobody else in my family does so I just cook a small pan. We also love it with green beans and corn. Other options include tomatoes, avocados, asparagus, or any other vegetable anyone in your family likes. This is a great way to get people to eat their vegetables!
I mixed mine extras in my bowl, but my daughter had everything on the side. Making many options means everyone can pick what they like and eat it how they want. It means I do not have to keep telling people to eat their dinner, which always makes me happy.
Macaroni and Cheese
Bar
Ingredients
Different kinds of vegetables, examples are broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes
Different kinds of meat, examples, chicken, hamburger, ground turkey/chicken, kielbasa, hotdogs, steak
Different kinds of cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, pepperjack, colby, etc
Directions
Make the macaroni and cheese, according to directions below
Cook meats and vegetables while cooking macaroni and cheese
Let everyone put their food in their own bowls, do not mix anything in the macaroni and cheese
20 Minute 3 Cheese
Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
1lb elbow noodles
3 TBSP butter
3 TBSP flour
3 cups milk
2 cups sharp cheddar
1 cup medium cheddar
1/4 cup parmesan
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
Fill a pot with water, boil
While water heats, grate cheese and measure all other ingredients
Add noodles to boiling water
In separate pan, melt butter, once melted, add flour. Mix well, cook for 1 minute
Add milk to butter/flour mixture, cook until thick, about 3 to 4 minutes
Once thickened, add seasoning to sauce
Add cheese to sauce, stir
Noodles will take about 12 minutes, drain when done then add to sauce
Either serve or refrigerate
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