This recipe is one of my toddler's favorite meals for lunch or dinner. I also have made them for play-dates and parties, since they are very easy to make, and kids love to pick them apart. Whats nice about this recipe is you can substitute with your child's favorite meat and/or vegetable, such as cubed, cooked chicken or peas.
Ingredients:
1/2 box Ditalini pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 crown broccoli chopped and cooked
2 already cooked ham steaks
1 tsp. salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook Ditalini according to package directions. In a small saucepan, melt and whisk together butter, milk and shredded cheese over medium heat until melted into a smooth cheese sauce. If too thick, add a little more milk. Turn heat to low, whisking occasionally.
In another small saucepan, boil broccoli until tender. Chop broccoli.
Drain pasta. In large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, ham and cheese sauce.
Spray muffin tins with cooking spray. Spoon mixture into each muffin tin. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes to set and cool. Remove carefully with a small spoon or spatula. If you take them out too early, they will fall apart (but are still yummy).
This can easily be made into a casserole, but muffin tins are a fun way to get kids interested in their meal.
