Description
Looking for a comforting, quick dinner idea that your kids will love? This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese for Kids is the ultimate family-friendly recipe that checks all the boxes — creamy, cheesy, crunchy on top, and baked to perfection. It’s one of the best dinner ideas for picky eaters and a go-to option for busy weeknights. Whether you need an easy recipe for school lunches or a cozy comfort food idea for Sunday dinner, this mac and cheese delivers every time with its gooey cheese sauce and golden breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Panko)
1 tablespoon melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni for 6-7 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
3. Slowly pour in milk and cream, whisking constantly. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
5. Combine cheese sauce with drained pasta in a large bowl or baking dish. Mix thoroughly.
6. In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded bags.
You can sneak in vegetables like spinach or broccoli for a healthy twist.
Don’t skip the breadcrumb topping — it adds perfect texture!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg