We’ve always found it a great way to introduce lumpier textures to our little ones – whereas they might spit out other lumps, they never minded gumming nice pieces of macaroni within a tasty, creamy sauce (chop them really small for younger babies!).
What’s more, you can include chopped up veggies within the dish, making it a complete and healthy meal (and a sneaky but successful way of giving your baby a vegetable he may not otherwise enjoy!).
Although the typical pasta choice for making macaroni and cheese is – er – macaroni (!), we often use any shape of pasta, all of which are equally well received! Another favourite is tri-colour pasta, simply because it looks attractive on the plate!
Click here to find out more about including cheese in your baby’s diet
Soft pasta pieces are a great way to get baby used to texture
Here’s what you’ll need…
4 oz (around 1/2 cup) uncooked pasta of your choice
a good handful frozen peas
1 1/2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
6 fl oz (3/4 cup) milk (use breast milk or formula if you prefer)
pinch freshly ground black pepper (optional)
4 oz (around 1 cup) of Cheddar cheese (grated)
Cook the pasta in boiling water according to the directions on the pack. A few minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the peas.
Drain and set aside.
In the meantime, place the butter in a small saucepan and melt it over a medium heat.
Stir in the flour and continue to cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.
Gradually add the milk, still stirring constantly, and continue to cook for several minutes until the sauce thickens.
Stir in the freshly ground black pepper and most of the cheese, saving a little to sprinkle on the top.
Pour the cooked pasta/pea mixture into an oven proof dish and combine with the cheese sauce, or mix in the pan and divide into individual ramekins.
Top with the extra grated cheese and run under the grill (broiler) for a few minutes until the cheese on top is melted and golden.
Variations: You can add finely chopped carrot (or other veggie of choice) either with or instead of the peas. Another tasty option is to stir a pureed veggie into the cheese sauce – we would sometimes add pureed sweet potato and sort of ‘swirl’ it in without thoroughly mixing it, which creates a fun and colourful effect!
Like to discover more ways to encourage your baby to eat up his veggies? Then visit…
My Baby Won’t Eat Vegetables –
Tips to Tempt Your Little One
angela
Sunday 10th of July 2016
i just made this for my son (11 months old). I doubled the recipe so i could freeze some to take on vacation with us for a quick meal. I added diced up chicken and about 3/4-1cup of mashed butternut squash along with tons of broccoli and used the garden delight rotini pasta by ronzoni. It is so good I will eat this for lunch myself. The colored pasta makes it a bit more interesting to the eye and has a little added nutrients.
Christine
Monday 11th of July 2016
Sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing :)
Lollycotts
Monday 29th of October 2012
Hi, can you freeze this and how many portions does this make? Thanks
Macaroni and Cheese » Makeshift Mamma
Sunday 8th of August 2010
[...] type of pasta or cheese you have on hand. The following recipe is my variation on the one found here. Shown here with whole wheat macaroni, spinach & sharp cheddar, ready to go in the [...]
ss
Thursday 3rd of June 2010
Can i feed my 7 month old baby this recipe? She is able to gum foods. Is butter ok? I thought dairy was to be avoided till age 1? Thanks!
Christine
Friday 4th of June 2010
The usual rule is that babies are not given cow's milk as a MAIN DRINK before 12 months of age (although medical professionals in some areas are now suggesting offering it from 9 months of age). However, using milk/dairy in recipes is usually fine from around 6 months of age... nevertheless, we always recommend that you check with your doctor first, as there may be a reason why your child should not be introduced to dairy at this stage (a family history of dairy allergy, for example).