Friday's Kid Tested Recipe: When you're in a hurry - healthy mix-ins for store bought mac & cheese!

I hate sneaking food into my children's diets, so I thought I would share some of the recipes that I make with my kids (ages 4 &2)! When kids help cook, they rarely avoid the food because they helped to make it! I'll try to note steps that even the youngest children can help with in the kitchen!

This is definitely a great recipe for parents whose kids love mac and cheese but really won't venture into many other foods, especially veggies!  Most kids love cheesy veggies!

What you'll need to make it!
Boxed mac&cheese (brand/style really doesn't matter)
Yummy mix-ins:
Meats to add protein:  tuna, cooked and shredded chicken, or ham chunks
Veggies:  (we use canned/frozen depending what we have in stock) peas, mixed veggies, broccoli, or corn

How to make it!
Cook the macaroni noodles as specified on the box and return noodles to hot pan.  Mix in the cheese packet/or sauce combo, add in the veggies (if frozen, thaw/cook according to package directions, if canned, there is no need to preheat), mix in your meat selection!

This has been our pantry staple for the days when "there's nothing to eat" or we are running late!  I don't always like serving just mac & cheese, but adding in the proteins and veggies makes me feel a little better about it!  We also make the mac & cheese a little healthier by opting for the whole grain pastas or 2% milk/less margarine option when mixing.

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Have a great recipe or a food/cooking blog? Feel free to link up now or send me an e-mail! I am going to start featuring recipes of others every friday...I just haven't gotten my act together yet! I'd love it if you'd grab the button, but it's not a requirement to join in!