Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

Who doesn't love a good mac 'n' cheese?

GF Macaroni and Cheese

Not such a bad picture for an iPod, huh?

It seems like all of my comfort foods include cheese in some form.  This is just about as easy to make as Kraft Dinner and tastes even better, in my opinion.  Load it up with veggies and you have a nice lunch for the kids or side dish for dinner.  I am a kid at heart... I could eat this every day and be perfectly happy.

Mac and Cheese with Veggies

(a good way to get picky kids to eat veggies!) 

1 package macaroni (or penne)
Preferred veggies (mushrooms, edamame, peas, carrots, broccoli, etc)
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 cup (or more) shredded cheddar (can add a bit of mozzerella)
1 tbsp fresh grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper 

• Boil water and add pasta.  Add your veggies to the water giving them enough time to finish cooking with the pasta.  

• (Saute the mushrooms if using those! And add them at the end.)

• In small saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until steaming.  Whisk in cream cheese until smooth; stir in basil. Add shredded cheese and parmesan and mix until gooey.  Add cheese sauce to drained pasta/veggies, toss to mix.  Season with salt and pepper. 

• Super easy and tastes amazing!

Super easy and tastes amazing!

The nice thing about this recipe is that if you have different kinds of pasta (gluteny and gluten-free) to serve you can easily split the cheese mixture between them.