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Kid-friendly Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Pears

This Toddler Mac and Cheese with pears and broccoli is the easiest pasta for toddlers and also works as some of the best pasta for babies. It’s ready in 15 minutes, only uses one pot, and combines fruits and vegetables. Just because this is a toddler mac and cheese recipe that’s great as a kid friendly pasta, that doesn’t mean it can’t appeal to the whole family. Recipe by Sarah Schlichter.

Featuring USA Pears

Ingredients

10-12 ozpasta (shells work well)
3 tbspbutter, divided
¼- ½ cupmilk (optional, but tends to make the dish creamier)
1 ½ cupsshredded cheese
1 bagfrozen broccoli
1-2pears, diced
salt
pepper
paprika

  1. Step 1

    Cook pasta according to directions. Drain.

  2. Step 2

    While pasta is draining and cooling, add bag of frozen broccoli to pan and heat with 1 tbsp butter.

  3. Step 3

    Add drained pasta back to pot and add remaining butter, ¼ cup milk, pears and 1 cup cheese of choice and diced. I was pretty liberal with these amounts.

  4. Step 4

    Top with more diced pears if desired.

  5. Step 5

    Notes: To freeze, let cool before storing it in a freezer-friendly ziplock bag or container. You can freeze for up to 3 months.

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