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picky-eating childrens broccoli mac & cheese

smonfils avatar
Recipe by
sherry monfils
@smonfils
worcester, MA

My grand children LOVE mac and cheese, but they like the boxed kind...yuck! But they also won't eat what they call my homemade mac & cheese, " for adults." Well, I surprised them with this casserole. They loved the gooey cheese with a mild salsa taste. They didn't even guess about the healthy sweet potato!! Haha

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yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For picky-eating childrens broccoli mac & cheese

  • 1 md
    sweet potato, peeled
  • 8 oz
    medium-sized pasta shells
  • 12 oz
    frozen broccoli florets, thawed
  • 2
    15 oz jars mild cheese & salsa dip
  • 1/2 c
    milk, or more as needed
  • 1 c
    shredded, sharp cheddar cheese, i used kraft

How To Make picky-eating childrens broccoli mac & cheese

  • 1
    Heat oven to 375. Lightly spray a 2-quart baking dish w/ cooking spray. Cut sweet potato into 1/2" pieces. Cook pasta as directed, adding sweet potato pieces the last 5 mins, and then the broccoli the last 2-3 mins of cook time.
  • 2
    Drain well. In lg pot, over medium heat, pour both jars of cheese/salsa dip into pot. Add 1/2 cup milk and stir until hot. If you find the sauce is too thick, add a little milk at a time until desired consistency. Remove the pot from heat and stir in pasta, veggies and 1/2 the shredded cheese. Spoon into baking dish and sprinkle w/ remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered for 10 mins, or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
  • 3
    I sometimes combine some coarse bread crumbs and a little melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole the last 3 mins to brown. Of course some real picky eaters won't eat it w/ bread crumbs...lol
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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