I experiemented a whole lot to find a way to make macaroni and cheese healthy and good tasting to the kids. It took the kids a while to get used to having whoel wheat pastas but within a couple weeks they were completely switched over and now prefer them. Once in a while I use organic white noodles made from unbleached, unbromated flour -- and even if it says organic I still check to make sure it does not contain enriched flour (it's crazy how you can be tricked into believing you are eating healthy food when it isn't even remotely healthy). Now, I also want to point out that we actually do not eat many dishes requiring store bought pasta, even organic, whole grain pastas because these are still mostly processed at high temperatures and contain little actual nutrition.
Someday in the near future I will have some contraption that will help me make homemade pasta simple and easy and we will then eat pasta to our heart's content. Until then, it's an occasional treat or last minute meal........

Macaroni and Cheese

1 box whole wheat elbows, cooked and rinsed with cold water
8 oz cheddar, freshly shredded (I never buy store bought shredded -- it's dry, processed, and doesn't melt well)
2 cups milk
1/2 stick butter
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t sea salt to taste, add more if you like
3 oz cream cheese if I have it on hand

Spray small/medium saucepan and add butter to melt over very low heat. Add 1/2 cup milk and flour and whick together over the low heat (add cream cheese here if you are using it). 
 Add remainder of milk and heat to hot but not boiling and add cumin and salt. Add 3/4 cheddar and melt together sirring continually. I use a mini whisk for this which works amazing.
Pour noodles into a greased casserole dish. Pour milk-cheese mixture over top and evenly coat. Sprinkle remainder of cheese over the top.
You can either freeze at this stage or bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until slightly browned on top.
Serves 6 as a meal, 8-10 as a side dish.


For adventurous families add cooked shredded chicken, tuna, or mushrooms before freezing or baking.

Super easy and quick to assemble! Again, from dear Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers -- so mamy tasy, easy, wholesome ideas! her site has simplified my cooking life so much! You must check it out!!!

Ingredients:
6 baking potatoes
1 pound Ground hamburger meat
1 Tablespoon Taco seasoning
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup salsa
Preferred toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, etc.

Scrub potatoes. Stab each of them with a knife (so they won’t explode!), place in a casserole dish, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours.

Brown hamburger meat, drain and add seasoning (you can add the whole package of seasoning if you want, I just think it’s a little strong like that!). Stir in cream, salsa and cheese. Stir on low heat until cheese is melted.

Cut potato open on plate. Pour meat sauce over potato and load it up with toppings you prefer.

Well, time is running short before dinner tonight and I only finished half of the grocery shopping yesterday so options are limited. Time for taco pasta -- one of the few dishes we serve in the Myers Kitchen that everyone eats! I am not a Hambuger Helper fan but this is pretty good for a not-casserole-lover. The kids love it! (They are big on noodles and casseroles).

Taco Pasta...Our version of homemade hamburger helper
2 1/2 c elbow noodles (I use organic, whole wheat)
1 Package Simply Organic Taco Seasoning mix
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1 lb ground turkey or beef (preferably organic, grass fed)
1 cup milk
1 1/2 c water
4-6 oz cheddar, shredded

Ground meat in large pot or saucepan. Add elbows and all other ingredients except cheese. Stir together, bring to boiling, reduce to simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes or until noodles are softened. Turn off stove, add cheese and stir.
You may add toppings if you desire -- Tony and I prefer some extries, but the kids do not. It's really yummy with organic sour cream, chopped tomatoes and black olives or maybe even some salsa or guac!

Serves 6