Macky and cheese

Who doesn't love a good 'ol bowl of Macaroni and Cheese, or as my oldest son calls it "Macky and cheese"?  It's about as comfort-foodish as comfort food gets, and in this house it gets gobbled up so fast my arm gets sore from scooping it onto the plates.

Today I was in a hurry to get lunch together, and literally only had about 5 minutes before I had to leave to get my son from preschool.  I opened the fridge and grabbed some fresh carrots, shredded cheddar cheese, almond milk, olive oil, and some plain rice pasta left over from dinner last night.  Now I could have easily used whole wheat pasta, gluten free, semolina, whatev's, and same goes with the milk. Whatever pleases your palette! For me, I prefer my wee little Parker to be hive-free, so we opt for the egg-free/cow's milk free stuff!

I started with the sauce. I poured about a tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of a saucepan and added some shredded cheese and a splash of almond milk and start stirring. It got all melty and I got all happy! I added a bit more of each until it was a creamy melty goddess of gooey and then added the secret ingredient - shredded carrot! I then tossed it all together with the pasta and poured it into a baking dish and popped into a warm oven to buy me some time.

Meanwhile, I informed Logan on the way home from school that we would be having his favorite lunch and he exclaimed "MACKY AND CHEESE! WEEEEEE!". That is a direct quote.

When the kiddos were good and hungry, I switched the warm oven to broil and let this bad boy crisp up and get all bubbly.  I can tell you... it smelled amazing. The carrot gave it a yummy crunch, and some obvious vitamin power.  I served it with apple's and cucumbers, and was immediately instructed that this needs to be added to our lunchtime rotation.

and it came out looking like this:

Okay, not the best photos, I know. Best I can do with the iPhone and 4 hungry kids. But I will tell you that this was probably the creamiest macky and cheese I have had.  It was my first time making it with the almond milk and I must say, I am a huge fan.  Our other household favorite for this yummy classic is the Squash Macaroni and Cheese which I talk all about on the most recent episode of Green Corridor Living!