This post is brought to you by the color Orange and Yellow. And by the letters C, H, E, E, S, and E.
Hee. I grew up watching Sesame Street and I really don’t have any idea how I should begin this post.
I’m still on my pantry-cleaning streak and I was thinking how I should go about using this 200g macaroni pasta, parmesan cheese in the fridge, and the leftover Shiitake Mushroom from the Tofu Steak I made. So I thought, I should just make some macaroni and cheese for Ykaie, Cyra and Cyvrine.
This is actually their first time to encounter mac n’ cheese as this is not a regular in our household and since I’m on a health kick, I also thought I should make a healthy, adult version of it.
For the kids version, I used some butter, garlic, non-fat milk and cheez whiz. Yes, don’t judge.This is not gourmet mac n’ cheese. I’m just testing if the kids will like it as an after school snack. I know the kids love cheez whiz and it’s also made with cheese.
For the adult version, I used shiitake mushroom, bell peppers, olive oil, garlic, non-fat milk, parmesan cheese and a bit of nutmeg. The shiitake mushroom lent an earthy, meaty flavor to this dish while the bell pepper added some crunchy texture. It’s good but I admit it’s not as good as the kiddie version — maybe because the kiddie version has butter {??} and fatty cheese {?}.. and just screams comfort food.
The verdict? Ykaie and Cyra now loves macaroni and cheese. Cyvrine didn’t.
Well, two out of three ain’t bad.
Pasta with Shiitake Musrooms and Bell Pepper {Adult Mac N’ Cheese}
slightly adapted from Julia’s Album
Ingredients
- 100g small pasta shells, cooked according to package directions
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup non-fat milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 4 pcs rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, chopped into small cubes
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped into small cubes
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Sauté garlic until brown on the edges.
- Add mushrooms and bell pepper and give it a little stir.
- Pour in milk and add parmesan cheese.
- Stir in low heat until cheese is melted.
- Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Add pasta and mix well until coated with sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Kids Simple Mac N’ Cheese
Ingredients
- 100g small macaroni shells, cooked according to package directions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup nonfat milk
- 1 packet of cheez whiz easy squeeze pack
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1tbsp water, as thickener {optional}
Instructions
- Heat butter in a non-stick skillet. Sauté garlic until brown on the edges.
- Pour in milk and cheez whiz.
- Stir in low heat until cheez whiz is melted.
- Add pasta and mix well until coated with sauce.
- If it’s too thin than what you preferred, add cornstarch, water mixture and mix well until it’s boiling on the edges.
- Serve immediately.
22 Responses
I’ll pass on the kid’s version (the Cheez Whiz you know!) but the adult version looks really terrific! Great flavor, and a reasonably light dish, too. Good stuff – thanks.
Your kids’ version would please my family, but I’ll take a nice big serving of the adult’s! It looks wonderful!!!
Your adult version with the shitake mushrooms and veggies looks delicious. However, my teenagers would love your kid friendly version as you know how kids are about that whole mushroom thing…. Take care, BAM
I love the one with shitake mushrooms! So creamy and comforting!
I think both versions sound delicious! I had a coworker who made the best mac and cheese and later found out that her secret ingredient was cheez-wiz!
Hah! I made mac and cheese lastweek minus the garlic and butter. I think I will try that next time. I actually put in some white onions. Weird but It is still mac and cheese, what could go wrong? =)
Love the mushrooms!
I love mac and cheese and love the idea of incorporating mushrooms and green bells in them. I can eat a big bowl of this right now! 🙂
Actually I love both versions, but if you set them both in front of me I would probably go for the kids version. 🙂
Yay I’ll try that Mac N’ Cheese, super easy pala. =)
I love shitake mushroom and that looks really good.
Mac ‘n cheese is our easy go-to food for the kids. Your adult version of mac ‘n cheese looks yummy. May have to try it for us too.
This is my kids all time favorite and it’s easy fix meals too 🙂
http://www.beautyisintheeyeoftheb.com/?p=4879
Looks yummy! I will try the kiddie version for Sean when we get back from our holiday!
I’ve also tried the cheese whiz as my other options for cheese because of what you have said it’s also creamy. I love mushrooms so I think it’s best to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
http://rhianvinzon.info/
My kids love Mac n Cheese 🙂 It looks so delish and easy to cook 🙂
http://www.mommies2ks.com/2013/06/learning-and-experiencing-the-greatest-moment-in-their-lives-in-aruba.html
I think my daughter would love that! Especially the mac n’ cheese.. Yummy!
Everything looks yum!!
Thank fir sharing mommy..Napaka healthy food nito mommy kahit bata magugustuhan talaga ito.
Thanks for sharing momshi i will try dis for my kids so yummy???
Wooooooow! ?????
Gusto ko yan mamssssss share ko yan sa anak ko,,,
Pwede pa pang baon school.. ????
Fb: akio zednanref
IG: prettysanya11
Dun muna ako sa simple kids Mac n cheese hehehe ayun plang Kaya ng powers ko sa pagluluto mommy ..
Try ko Yan mamaya for meryenda ?