My grandchildren love California Pizza Kitchen. Whenever we visit, they always ask to go to California Pizza Kitchen as a special treat. If you ask them their favorite restaurant, they will invariably say California Pizza Kitchen.
It is not for the varied menu, however. Every time we go, they order the SAME dish: Mac ‘N Cheese. We make it somewhat healthy, if mac ‘n cheese could ever been considered a healthy dish, by ordering the edamame and fruit as sides at the restaurant.
One day, my grandson said, “Mema, I wish you knew how to make California Mac “N Cheese so we could have it all the time when we see you.” Well, a grandchild’s wish is always my command. I went on a mission to find California Pizza Kitchen’s mac ‘n cheese recipe on the internet. I am so clever. I typed “California Pizza Kitchen’s mac ‘n cheese recipe” into the google search engine. Wow! Number one entry is it!
This had five stars! The comments said it was perfect for every age. Here is the recipe that is on the website. Of course, I have changes and ideas for you to make it better!
Just Like California Pizza Kitchen Mac & Cheese
By St. Louie Suzie on December 03, 2008
Photo by Taralli
5 Reviews
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 6-8
About This Recipe
“My family loves the macaroni and cheese at California Pizza Kitchen, so I tinkered around and came pretty close to it. Enjoy!”
Ingredients
16 ounces rotini pasta
8 ounces Velveeta cheese
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Cook pasta in boiling water for 10 – 12 minutes until al dente.
Meanwhile, cut the Velveeta into cubes and add it to the cream and butter in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring often.
Drain pasta well and add to Velveeta mixture and gently mix to coat.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 (125 g)
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories 600.0NutritionAmount Per Serving% Daily ValueCalories from Fat28347%Total Fat31.5g48%Saturated Fat19.4g97%Cholesterol107.9mg35%
Sugars4.4 gSodium582.7mg24%
Total Carbohydrate61.7g20%
Dietary Fiber2.4g9%
Sugars4.4 g17%
Protein17.0g34%
First, let’s talk about the recipe to make it better even though it is near perfect. I add more butter. Yes, I have found I can add the same amount of cream, velvetta, and butter and it works great. So, you can make small batches: 2 ounces cream, 2 ounces, butter, 2 ounces velvetta.
The best tip I found by accident. My grandchildren want the mac ‘n cheese at odd hours (like for breakfast) so when I arrive at their home or they at our home, I cook a box of rotini al dente. After it cools, I put all the pasta in a plastic bag for use little by little when they are in the mood for mac ‘n cheese. I am a fan of Ronzoni rotini as it stays well in the refrigerator. Somehow, the sauce sticks better when the pasta is not newly made!
Also, the grandchildren can help cook easier when you are making small batches. I use cooking as a way to teach grandchildren measurement so even making a small batch can take time. It is great to teach liquid measurement and solid measurement. 2 ounces is ¼ cup we find out looking at a measuring cup. We look at the stick of butter which has the tablespoons marked out. 4 tablespoons is ¼ cup. We have so much fun measuring and mixing. In order to make this mac ‘n cheese recipe, stirring constantly means you MUST stir constantly or it will lump. Yes, velvetta melts better than cheddar but still the grandchildren will get tired of mixing before the sauce is made. Always let them stir first of course. If first grandchild measures the butter, second grandchild measures the cream, the first then measures the cheese, and the second then puts the butter in the pan, the first puts the cream in the pot . . . . you get the idea—equal time and equal effort per grandchild. Flip a coin to see who goes first or think of a number from one to ten and see who guesses first.
Last Thanksgiving, my grandchildren and I made mac ‘n cheese as one of our “signature” dishes (yes, I will give you the menu and recipes of everything we made together at another time). Everyone devoured the mac ‘n cheese and wants it every Thanksgiving. The adults seem to think calories are fine at Thanksgiving.
I intentionally included the nutrition facts. Did you really think mac ‘n cheese is a diet food? Most grandchildren can burn the calories off quickly, especially when they eat it for breakfast, but recently my daughter has not been happy with how much mac ‘n cheese my grandchildren want to eat when I am around. So, I have tried to play with the recipe. You CAN substitute no fat milk, smart balance and low fat velvetta – so long as you use day old pasta. My grandchildren have not complained—in small batches. I do not think a large diet batch will work. Yes, edamame and fruit go well with mac ‘n cheese at home too.
Whether you create the real fake version of California Pizza Kitchen Mac ‘N Cheese or the ‘diet” version, know you must eat what you make or throw it away. For some reason, it tastes awful reheated!
Not only have I been the grandma hero to have found the recipe, I am also the teacher and cook with my grandchildren for a fun activity. I will always be remembered for my mac ‘n cheese, no matter what their mother says. Sometimes we just have to manage our children to create memories for our grandchildren. Yes, I cook mac ‘n cheese less often than I have in the past, but each batch is special, made with love and
Joy,
Mema
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