When I was a kid, I loved when my mother grabbed that classic blue box of Kraft and made me a steaming bowl of mac & cheese. Now as a mother, I find myself making a box now and then for my kids. Macaroni & cheese is a comfort food down to the bones. As an adult, my home-made mac & cheese usually consists of a blend of fresh grated cheeses, usually at least 3 or 4. Cheddar, Gruyere, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Gouda, Swiss...oh how the list goes on and on. I love the unique flavors that all these cheeses bring to the dinner table and palette! However, sometimes I crave that good ol' boxed flavor my kids love. I strongly believe it is important to show my kids how to make food on their own, without following a box. It makes cooking real. So, I decided to make my own Kraft Macaroni & Cheese! It's creamy, cheesy, and child approved. Get your inner child ready, It's about to be blown away!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
4 Tbs (1/4 cup) butter
1/4 cup milk of choice
3-4 Tbs Cheddar Cheese Powder

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

Cook your macaroni. It's simple, I know you can do it!

Bring a pot of water to a boil
Pour in your macaroni
Boil for 11 minutes

I used elbow macaroni, but you can use whatever kind of pasta you want. Do you have a bag of fun shaped pasta in the back of your pantry? You know, that overpriced pack of pasta you bought from your niece's fundraiser last year? Have some fun and use silly shapes! Just make sure to boil the pasta as long as the package suggests. Or maybe a few minutes more. Everyone knows your mom was busy and over boiled your mac & cheese on accident. And it was AMAZING that way!

Step 2: Get the Ingredients Ready

While your pasta is cooking, you will want to get your other ingredients ready to go! Why make this a whole step? Great question and simple answer! As a parent you know that when your kid is hungry, they are literally DYING OF STARVATION! If they have to wait an extra 2 minutes because you didn't follow this step, it is possible they may die. If you love your child, and want them to see another day, make sure you get the darn stuff ready!

Take a stick of butter and cut it in half
Cut the half stick of butter (which is 1/4 cup or 4 Tbs) into chunks.
Measure out the milk
Take out the cheese and have a measuring spoon ready

Please note, it is important to cut up the butter into pieces. If you do not, it will take longer for it to fully melt. This extra cooking time could possibly result in the starvation of your child. ;)

Step 3: Drain the Macaroni

Ok guys, this is probably the hardest part. CAREFULLY drain the hot water from your pasta. Make sure to give it a gently shake in the strainer. The water likes to stick around inside the noodles and we do NOT want any extra water! It will take away from the cheesy, creamy taste!

Return the drained pasta to the cooking pot.

Step 4: Make It Cheesy!

Okay, I lied. This step requires a little more thought than the last. But I am 100% confident you can do it!

Add the butter to the drained macaroni and stir constantly until melted
Add the milk and stir until combined
Add the powdered cheese until fully distributed.

For traditional Kraft Macaroni & Cheese add 3 Tbs of the cheese. For the Cheddar Explosion version, add 4 Tbs.

You can add all the ingredients at the same time if you wish. I personally find that if you follow the steps, it works a lot better. You get a quicker and more even mac & cheese. Trust me, I'm a blue box expert! ;)

Step 5: Let Your Inner Child Eat!

Scoop some of that yummy macaroni into a bowl and enjoy! Or just eat it out of the pot if nobody's looking..I won't judge you! Just make sure to eat a spoonful before you give the bowl to your child. You know, just to make sure it's safe ;)

If you liked this recipe, check out my other Copycat recipes!!