She came home from preschool one day and told me that the little boy she was playing kitchen with at school made her “mac n cheese”, and she wanted to know what that was.
That weekend we got out some real cheese, butter, a little raw milk and I showed her how to make it. I had no clue what I was doing, but what I did know was that the blue box of mac n cheese was nothing more than noodles, cheese, butter, and milk…so why couldn’t I replicate that with real ingredients?
As Chloe has gotten older and noticed the blue boxes of mac n cheese at the store (with very targeted character shapes to her age might I add), I have spent some time showing her why I choose to make it the way we do at home – never underestimate what a 5 year old can understand. I wrote out the list of ingredients we use in ours and she can read every single ingredient. She stood speechless in the market isle when I asked her if she could figure out what the ingredients in the blue box were – complete with asking me what yellow 5 was. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand that color from a plant is more desirable to put in your body than petroleum based colors (ie the same petroleum you put in your car).
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Real Food Mac N Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten free noodles THIS is the kind I get from our local market
- 2 TB butter
- 1 cup raw cheese shredded
- ¼ cup raw milk sour cream, or coconut milk
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- Optional ¼ ish tsp turmeric for yellow color
Instructions
- Boil the noodles until bite tender, drain, and return to the pot.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients to the pot of cooked noodles, and combine well so the cheese melts.
- To reheat leftovers add a splash of water or milk to the pan before heating.
I usually serve small bowls of mac n cheese for lunch with a piece of fruit, and salads on the side (I promise they will love this Ranch dressing – it tastes just like the kind from the store without the junky oils and soy!). If you want to pack leftovers in the school lunch thermos, just reheat the next day with a splash of water!
if you use the butter with a little flour to make a light rue then add the milk you will get a white sauce, then add the cheese to melt, you will get a much creamier sauce. that’s what we like anyway. you might need to use a little more milk
Thanks for the tip Kaye!
I love homemade mac n’ cheese … it’s total comfort food for me 🙂 Yum! Have it pinned.
I am REALLY in the mood for this, especially after being in the house for 4 days straight (“snow day” week here).
Isn’t it amazing how well they soak up the information. I always tell my little one as it is. She’s such a show off she goes to school and tells everyone off for eating junk..lol Thanks for sharing I’ll be making this soon!
Jonah has been loving this since his dental work yesterday. Yeah for mac and cheese! 😀
This recipe looks delicious! Love the option to use sour cream!
This looks delicious Renee, I love cheese so much and this is one of the best ways to enjoy it! Such a wonderful, real food way to make this classic favorite (and avoid toxic chemicals, additives, and preservatives). Comfort food indeed! 🙂
This is my favorite post of yours. I love how you start by telling a story. You made me laugh with “and she wanted to know what that was.” That reminds me of my own childhood (and the first time I had chocolate cake at a neighbor’s)… and also what it is like to be a mama and watch our kids experience life. Such a lovely unfolding to the beautiful recipe itself. 🙂
My kids would love this! A far cry from KD!
This looks AMAZING. Mac and cheese is one of my favorite meals ever.
Wow! Haven’t had mac n’ cheese in year, looks delish. 🙂
I just made this and holy smokes is it good! Thank you, Renee!
Oh fun Sarah! Glad you liked it!
This looks delish. I can’t stand the taste of boxed mac anymore 🙂