Classic Macaroni and Cheese

This is possibly the most nutritious form of macaroni and cheese that you will encounter. And what's more, your family will be none the wiser. I asked my husband to name the vegetables in it and all he could come up with was carrots. This was despite the cup of cauliflower puree it also contained. Nevertheless, it still got the big thumbs up.

Again, my choice of cheese is light mozzarella for the lower salt content. I also don't add any additional salt to the recipe as the addition of bacon contributes enough for small people. For more flavour, or if you are feeding adults accustomed to more salt, you may like to add a bit of salt or switch to a tasty cheese.

Suitable for 12mths+

Macaroni and Cheese

200g uncooked pasta elbows

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely diced or crushed

1 onion, finely diced

150g bacon

1 bay leaf

1 carrot, very finely diced

2 tomatoes, finely diced (my toddler gags on cooked tomato skin so I blanch and peel tomatoes first)

Cracked black pepper

20g canola margarine

2 tbsp plain flour

1.5 cups milk

1 cup cooked cauliflower puree

1/2 cup grated light mozzarella

60g light cream cheese

2 slices bread, crumbed (use a wholegrain/seeded bread for extra nutrition)

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

Canola oil spray

1. 
   
   Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Set to the side.
2. 
   
   Heat oil in a large sausepan. Saute onions and garlic with bacon. Add in tomatoes, carrot and bay leaf, cooking with lid on until carrot is soft.
3. 
   
   Once carrot is soft, remove lid and simmer until any liquid is reduced. Cooked mixture should be fairly dry.
4. 
   
   Season with cracked black pepper.
5. 
   
   In another small pot, add margarine to melt. Stir in flour to create roux, adding milk gradually, whisking continuously until all is added.
6. 
   
   Lower heat on white sauce, then add in cauliflower puree, grated cheese, and cream cheese. Stir until cheeses are melted.
7. 
   
   In a small bowl, combine fresh bread crumbs with parmesan cheese. Spray a little oil through as you mix it.
8. 
   
   Now retrieve the large pot containing the bacon, carrot mix. Poor in cooked pasta and white sauce. Mix thoroughly.
9. 
   
   Pour final mixture into a casserole or oven dish.
10. 
    
    Top with bread crumb mix and a final spray of oil.
11. 
    
    Bake in a hot oven for about 30min or until crumbs are golden dish is bubbling.
12. 
    
    Serve with salad greens.