Dinnertime: Healthier Mac and Cheese with Hidden Cauliflower

*This post is sponsored by Abbott Nutrition, all opinions are 100% our own.

Today we’re back with our latest sponsor, Go & Grow by Similac Food Mix-Ins. Inspired by how easy Mix-Ins makes it to add vitamins and protein to our kids’ favorite foods, we’re once again sharing a healthier twist on a classic kid recipe.

And, in case you missed our last post, don’t forget you can get free Mix-Ins samples sent right to you!

Visit this page for free samples (while supplies last)

Here’s Kaley with recipe the details…

It is always my goal to give my kids a varied, colorful diet with plenty of healthy foods. But no matter what I put down in front of my 2 year old, she pushes it away and asks for mac and cheese.

I can’t really blame her. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? But the boxed mac and cheese is far from the nutritious meal I want her eating on a daily basis.

Thankfully, I have found a way to make her beloved mac and cheese a whole lot healthier.

By using cauliflower as a base for the cheese sauce, mac and cheese goes from being a request I dread to something I am proud to serve the whole family!

And on those days when I know my toddler really hasn’t been anywhere near a vegetable, adding in a packet of Go & Grow Food-Mix Ins supports her brain, eye and overall development with their unique blend of DHA, lutein and vitamin E along with protein, fiber and other vitamins and minerals.

The Mix-ins don’t change the taste of the food, so your toddler will never know the difference! My healthier mac and cheese is always a hit and my little one has no idea I have added anything to it.

Healthier Cauliflower Mac n’ Cheese

Ingredients:

1/2 cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1/2 box of small pasta shapes
4 ounces white cheddar cheese
Go & Grow by Similac Food Mix-Ins

Directions:

Steam the cauliflower in a large pot.

Purée the cauliflower with a little bit of the cooking water in a blender.

Add the cheese and purée until smooth.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta well and return to the pot. Pour the cheese and cauliflower sauce over the pasta and stir well.

Take out a portion of the mac and cheese for your toddler and stir in one packet of Similac Go & Grow Mix-ins.

Once cooled, serve to your little one.

This mac and cheese is a favorite in our house, and is a quick and easy meal that the whole family can enjoy.

I only add the Mix-Ins to my 2 year old’s portion as they’re meant to help toddlers between 12 months and 4-years-old maintain balanced nutrition while they are learning to eat new foods.

For the rest of the family, I just add a bit of salt and pepper. Serve with a salad or other green veggie on the side to complete the meal. (This recipe can also easily be doubled, depending on the size of your family.)

Once you taste this nutritious version of macaroni and cheese, you will never go back to the boxed version. The cauliflower adds a creaminess to the pasta that you won’t believe- no one will miss the butter a bit.

And don’t forget to try it with your free packs of Mix-Ins!

In addition to being delicious this can be made in 20 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal. Give it a try tonight.