Description
This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese for Kids is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish with a golden breadcrumb topping—perfectly designed to win over picky eaters and satisfy the whole family. Made with pantry staples, it’s a quick bake that’s ready for dinner or lunchbox leftovers.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1–2 minutes.
3. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce.
4. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted and creamy.
5. Combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat evenly.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer mac and cheese to a greased 8×8 or 9×13 baking dish.
7. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
8. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting texture—pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents.
Let it rest after baking so the sauce thickens and holds when serving.
Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore the creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Kid-Friendly
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg