mac & cheese

So last night we went to out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate Leigh's birthday. So no cooking for me. Instead, I want to post a recipe I made from Just Cook Already for homemade mac & cheese. It was real easy and had some sneaky ingredients to add in some extra veggies for the kids. My kids all loved it and Wade said he liked it better than my usual homemade mac and cheese (until I told him the secret ingredients anyway). Here it is:

Cheese Sauce:

1/4 cup red onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup Arborio rice {the stuff you use to make risotto}

4 cups chicken stock

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

6 cups cooked macaroni noodles

Instructions:

1. Place onion, carrots, rice and chicken stock in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. When rice is very tender, add grated cheese. Cool slightly and place in blender. Puree until smooth.

3. Pour sauce over cooked macaroni and mix well.

Makes 6 servings.