Kids seem to love Mac & Cheese and my kids are no exception. My 11 year old asks for it all the time, but I refuse to cook up boxed Mac & Cheese with powdered yellow cheese–no offense to those that do. So, I whip up this really easy version that takes just as much time as the boxed version does.

Step 1: 

Boil water, add a tiny bit of Olive Oil, a small palmful of Salt–optional: add a clove of garlic and a small slice of onion for flavor. Once the water boils, add your pasta.

Step 2:

After you follow your box instructions on cooking your pasta, drain your pasta and throw away the garlic and onion if you used it. I do not like soft soggy pasta, so mine is usually al-dente–meaning it is a bit firm. You can stir your pasta in the colander to make sure they don’t stick or you can wet it with cold water and stir it–if you prefer, but I usually don’t.

Step 3:

In your saucepan, add about 1 cup of milk and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. (To be honest, I really just eyeball it and taste for flavor. I also always–purposely–under salt my food.) Place your saucepan on medium-low and consistently stir your sauce. Once you notice the cheese is beginning to melt, add your pasta.

Step 4: 

Stir all the ingredients together and if you like extra cheese, you can always add more. You can even sprinkle Parmesan cheese.

Step 5:

Enjoy!!