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Macaroni and Cheese
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Lunch
Vegetarian
243 kcal
45 min

Macaroni and Cheese

Oct 2, 2026

Macaroni and Cheese: a USDA child-care recipe for preschool menu planning. Original yield: 6 servings.

Preschool
Fat
6 g
Fat
Carbs
29 g
Carbs
Sugar
5 g
Sugar
Sodium
441 mg
Sodium
Protein
17 g
Protein
Calories
243 kcal
Calories
instructions
Instructions
Total time
45 min
Step 1

Preheat oven: Conventional oven: 350 °F. Convection oven: 325 °F

Step 2

Heat two cups water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan.

Step 3

Add cauliflower. Cook uncovered for 4 minutes until very soft. Remove, drain, and place in a bowl. Mash cauliflower until smooth. Set aside for step 7.

Step 4

Heat 3 cups water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan.

Step 5

Slowly add macaroni. Stir constantly until water boils again. Cook about 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Stir occasionally. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Drain well. Set aside for step 7.

Step 6

Heat oil in skillet. Add flour to make a roux. Stir briskly with whisk. Slowly add milk and stir until smooth. Reduce heat to low.

Step 7

Combine cauliflower mash, macaroni, milk, cheese, egg whites, sour cream, onion, pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes, salt, and lemon pepper in a large bowl. Add warm roux and stir well.

Step 8

Lightly coat a baking dish (8” x 8” x 2”) with pan release spray.

Step 9

Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish.

Step 10

Bake: Conventional oven: 350 °F for 30-35 minutes. Convection oven: 325 °F for 25-30 minutes.

Step 11

Critical Control Point: Heat to 165 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.

Step 12

Critical Control Point: Hold at 140 °F or higher until served.

Step 13

Cut each pan into 6 pieces (2” x 3¾”).

Step 14

Serve one - 2” x 3¾” piece.

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Ingredients (6 servings)

Ingredients (original recipe yield)
Water
2 cups
Fresh cauliflower florets
2½ oz
Water
3 cups
Whole-grain elbow macaroni
1¼ cups or 6 oz
Canola oil
2 tsp
Whole-wheat flour
2 tsp
Low-fat (1%) milk
½ cup or 4 oz
Skim milk
1 cup or 8 oz
Low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups 7¼ oz
Egg whites
¼ cup or 2 oz
Low-fat sour cream
¼ cup or 2 oz
Nonfat sour cream
¼ cup or 2 oz
Fresh diced onion
¼ cup or 1 oz
Ground black or white pepper
⅛ tsp
Garlic powder
½ tsp
Dried onion flakes
1½ tsp
Salt
⅛ tsp
Lemon pepper
½ tsp
Allergy information
Potential allergens to check: Milk, Egg, Wheat, Gluten-containing cereals. Ingredient-based screening, not a certified allergen analysis. Check every packaged ingredient, substitution and cross-contact risk against the child's allergy plan.