Healthy Mexican-Inspired Kid-Friendly Mac and Cheese

Creamy and delicious, this Mexican-inspired kid-friendly mac and cheese recipe will become a staple in your house in no time! As a dietitian mom, I’ve made sure it’s packed with nutritious veggies, black beans and lentils, too. Ready within 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

What Makes This Kid-Friendly Mac and Cheese?

This homemade mac and cheese for kids is perfect for little eaters. Its creamy texture, cheesy flavor, and mild Mexican-inspired spices appeal to even the pickiest eaters. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, making cleanup a breeze for busy parents. I’ve got plenty of easy and healthy dinner recipes for kids, including pasta dishes kids love.

If your child isn’t a fan of mixed dishes, no worries! You can always offer familiar sides like bread, a simple salad, or a fruit tray alongside the dish. Multiple exposures to new foods help kids learn to enjoy them, so don’t be discouraged if they don’t dive in right away.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Healthier

Want to upgrade your mac and cheese game so that it’s even more nourishing? Here are a few ways this recipe boosts nutrition without compromising on taste:

1. Add Veggies: This recipe adds in diced bell peppers, tomatoes, or even zucchini to make it a mac and cheese with veggies.
2. Boost Fibre: The inclusion of beans and lentils (both part of the “pulse” family) adds fiber and plant-based protein to keep your kids full longer. Both beans and lentils are part of the “pulse” family. They’re largely grown locally and provide loads of plant-based protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. As a busy Mom, I often turn to canned beans and lentils because they’re so quick and easy! All you have to do is rinse and add them in.
3. Use Whole-Grain Pasta: Swap regular pasta for whole-grain or legume-based options to increase fibre and nutrients.
4. Add Greek Yogurt to the Sauce: Incorporate plain Greek yogurt into the cheese sauce for a creamy texture with added protein.

What You Need to Make a Kid-Friendly Mac and Cheese

Chances are, you have many of these ingredients in your fridge and pantry already!

• Olive oil
• Onion, diced
• Red bell pepper, diced
• Mini carrots, diced
• Minced garlic
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt to taste
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• Canned lentils, rinsed and drained
• Cheese
• Macaroni noodles
• Water
• Green onion, diced

Serving Tip for Picky Eaters

Some kiddos don’t love mixed meals (like casseroles, lasagna, chili, soups, etc.), especially if they’re still learning to enjoy certain foods (aka going through a picky eating phase). If your little one is hesitant about trying new foods, serve this mac and cheese with a couple of their favourite sides. Having a familiar food on the table can make them feel more comfortable exploring the main dish. Who knows? They might surprise you and go all in!

Healthy Mexican-Inspired Kid-Friendly Mac & Cheese

Sarah Remmer, RD

Creamy and delicious, this Mexican-inspired kid-friendly mac and cheese recipe will become a staple in your house in no time! It’s packed with nutritious veggies, black beans and lentils, too. Ready within 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 4-5 mini carrots diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• salt to taste
• 2 – 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 – 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
• 1 – 15 oz can lentils rinsed and drained
• green onion
• 2 1/2 cups cheese
• 1 package of macaroni noodles
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup green onion diced

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and carrots and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, until tender and aromatic.
• Add garlic  chili powder, cumin, and salt to the pan with the vegetables and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Stir in the diced tomatoes, pasta, beans, lentils and water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is "al dente" about 12-15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in most of the cheese, reserving a little for sprinkling on top. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and chopped green onions. Enjoy!

Notes

*adapted from: https://kristineskitchenblog.com/one-pot-vegetarian-chili-mac/

Keyword one pot pasta, vegetarian Mexican mac and cheese

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sarah Remmer, RD

Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.