Made this last week and our toddler loved it -- plus you don't pre-boil the noodles, they cook in the oven!

http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/1015706/creamy-macaroni-and-cheese.html

You can make mac & cheese in a rice cooker. I have forgotten the exact recipe, but it only takes milk, macaroni and shredded cheese. My rice cooker was from Wolfgang Puck, so maybe google that?

And this doesn't help the "boxed" issue, but I think the best Mac & Cheese is the frozen one from Trader Joe's

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of Alton Brown's better episodes is where he makes a traditional baked mac 'n cheese, his "son" gets mad at him, and then he also makes a box'd mac 'n cheese equivalent for kids. This is the kids recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/stove-top-mac-n-cheese-recipe.html

This is what I make (I don't have kids, but make it for parties, etc.). If you are making it specifically for kids, I would omit the dry mustard (or at the very least halve it), and use mild cheddar instead of sharp.

It's easy and really tasty!

+100. This is by far the best creamy mac and cheese. None of the oven recipes even come close to this texture.

OP, if you want a creamy Kraft or Velveeta style dish, make Alton's!

Or get the Whole Foods organic brand. We mix in organic frozen or fresh veggies and sometimes, pieces of chicken or tuna in the alfredo version.

Here is what I sometimes do- buy a box and use half the powered mix combined with a homemade sauce like something described above. It will have a hint of the box flavor but will be mostly homemade. Just gradually decrease amount of mix you add over time

My son is picky, but he will eat the pioneer woman one

Fair enough. I'd personally rather clean the counter than the blender.

Anonymous wrote:The blender step seems kind of superfluous (except when you're using the spinach).

Messy cook here. It's easier to keep the stove top clean when mixing it all together in a blender beforehand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of Alton Brown's better episodes is where he makes a traditional baked mac 'n cheese, his "son" gets mad at him, and then he also makes a box'd mac 'n cheese equivalent for kids. This is the kids recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/stove-top-mac-n-cheese-recipe.html

This is what I make (I don't have kids, but make it for parties, etc.). If you are making it specifically for kids, I would omit the dry mustard (or at the very least halve it), and use mild cheddar instead of sharp.

It's easy and really tasty!

I wanted to add that when I was a nanny, the kids were used to boxed mac and cheese. I tried lots of recipes for homemade mac n cheese, and they would never eat it. I think they liked this one because it has a creamy consistency, it's yellow, it's not baked and crumby, and doesn't use "fancy" cheese.

Anonymous wrote:One of Alton Brown's better episodes is where he makes a traditional baked mac 'n cheese, his "son" gets mad at him, and then he also makes a box'd mac 'n cheese equivalent for kids. This is the kids recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/stove-top-mac-n-cheese-recipe.html

This is what I make (I don't have kids, but make it for parties, etc.). If you are making it specifically for kids, I would omit the dry mustard (or at the very least halve it), and use mild cheddar instead of sharp.

It's easy and really tasty!

They will grow out of it.

I don't know how this compares to the box kind, but I make baked mac n cheese and freeze it in squares for kid lunches.

1 box pasta of choice, cooked to package directions

Melt 1/2 stick butter in pan. Add about 3 tbsp flour to make a roux. Slowly add 2 cups milk, warm until slightly thickened, melt in about 6oz grated cheddar. Salt & pepper.

Mix pasta with sauce. I also add 1 can salmon, 1 8oz package frozen peas, and a few dashes of worcestershire sauce to make it a meal.

Spread into a 9x13 baking dish. Top with 2 oz grated cheddar, a handful of breadcrumbs and a sprinkling of dried basil.

Bake about 30 min at 350, until cheese is browned.

Cool leftovers in the fridge and then cut into squares the next day. Wrap each square in plastic wrap, freeze.

Anonymous wrote:Mix cheddar cheese and heavy cream on the stover. Stir in cooked pasta.

This is it. Using heavy cream will make it perfect. I add a couple pats of butter. I use whatever cheese I have around (colby jack, cheddar, gouda). My kiddo who never finishes a meal eats it up every time.

Anonymous wrote:Just get Annie organic

We get the Back to Nature box. Both my kids and I love it.

Sure, I make homemade. On the stove, in the oven, with a roux base, with one or two eggs, with cheddar or a mix of several cheeses. I like all of them, but the kids prefer the box. Oh well.

Just get Annie organic