BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE

This Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is so awesome. My kids have been asking me to make it for some time now. I have some easy Kraft Mac’n’Cheese boxes in my pantry, but after learning to pay attention to the ingredients, I really hesitated to feed this stuff to my kids. The boxed macaroni and cheese has such a long ingredient list which includes artificial flavors, food dyes, MSG, modified food starch, and other harmful for our health additives. Sadly, all these additives make people addicted to them from very early age. As for Macaroni and Cheese, it is one of the kids’ favorite foods, so worth it to make a change and start making  it at home.

For better, healthier Macaroni and Cheese use whole wheat macaroni. For cheese sauce thickening, you can substitute corn starch with flour, but I used organic corn starch, and it did an awesome job.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (410 g) elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 + 1/3 cup milk
• 2 cups American or Cheddar Cheese

Crumb Topping

• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Cook macaroni as directed on package, until tender, but firm, drain. Spray 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick spray (I used coconut spray). Place macaroni in baking dish.

Melt 1 tablespoon coconut oil, add breadcrumbs, and toss to coat. Add seasonings, and set aside.

In saucepan, over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup coconut oil, blend in starch, mustard powder and salt. Stir in milk, and cook stirring until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in cheese.

Pour cheese mixture over macaroni.

Sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, until top is golden brown.

Enjoy!