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How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning

Name: How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 2 large carrots (sliced and steamed); 500 ml milk; 1 clove garlic; 50 g 3tbsp butter; 2 tbsp plain flour; 80 g 1 cup grated cheese; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 250 g 2 1/2 cups dried macaroni pasta* (cook as per pack instructions); 2-3 tbsp brown bread crumbs

5 No Comments Published May 31, 2023 Updated Jun 02, 2023

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These Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins are an amazing first food for baby led weaning. Pasta sauce can be super messy for babies starting weaning but when served in this way, it really minimises the mess. I added steamed carrots to my sauce, but you can add cooked cauliflower or butternut squash too. This keeps the sauce a wonderful cheesy colour while still packing in lots of extra nutrients.

Baby Led Feeding Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins

Baby-Led Weaning How to Get Started

Baby-led weaning involves offering your baby soft, easy-to-grasp finger foods instead of purees. Start with foods that are easy to chew and swallow, like cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and safe meat and fish.

It is completely normal to feel anxious about starting weaning your baby. As your baby reaches that six-month mark you will probably find yourself researching all the different ways you will start to introduce solid food. The baby-led weaning method is what my recipes are focused around and will help those little hands take control of food, all on their own.

I wrote a really detailed blog post on my favourite tips to help you get started here.

First baby food at 6 months

So what is the first food baby should eat? Baby Led weaning can seem like a scary way to feed your baby, especially if you have done traditional weaning previously, or maybe it’s your first baby and you just don’t know what to start with.

One of the best things you can do is start weaning slowly! Let your baby show you their capabilities and remember both of you are learning. It’s a journey and it takes time to get to the destination.

Start with a few spears of softly roasted vegetables that you can squash between between your finger and thumb.

When your baby has shown you just how amazing they are at eating all on their own you can then serve these delicious Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins as a first finger food recipe. They are really soft and so safe, but if you are in any way worried about serving these to your little one, start with the soft veggies first.

Baby Led Feeding Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins4

How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning

You are going to love just how easy this recipe is to make. I blended cooked carrots into the milk, but you can also add cooked cauliflower or butternut squash too. It adds a whole lot more goodness into a yummy bite.

Melt the butter and stir in the flour. It’s important to cook this for a few moments as it takes away the taste of flour in the finished sauce.

What Cheese can babies eat?

Soft, pasteurized cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese and ricotta are safe for babies to eat. It’s important to avoid any cheese made from unpasteurized milk, as it can contain harmful bacteria.

Cheddar cheese can be quite high in sodium so choose brands that are mild and low sodium and always use small amounts if your baby is under 12 months. This recipe uses just 1 cup (80g) in 24 portions which is a very, very small amount.

Baby Led Feeding Carrot Mac and Cheese Muffins2

Other great Finger Foods for Baby Led Weaning

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @babyledfeeding on Instagram. All the love, Aileen 🥰

How to Make Mac and Cheese Muffins for Baby-Led Weaning

5 from 1 vote

Prep: 12

Cook: 20

Total: 32

Servings:

(Hover over # to adjust)

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Want to make mealtime more exciting for your baby? These mac and cheese muffins are a great way to introduce new flavors and textures. Give them a try!

Ingredients

2 large carrots sliced and steamed
500 ml milk
1 clove garlic
50 g 3tbsp butter
2 tbsp plain flour
80 g 1 cup grated cheese
2 sprigs fresh thyme
250 g 2 1/2 cups dried macaroni pasta* (cook as per pack instructions)
2-3 tbsp brown bread crumbs

Method

Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF.
Add the carrots, milk and garlic to a blender and blend until smooth.
Heat a pan over a medium heat, then add the butter and melt. Spoon in the flour and stir well for about 2 minutes. It is important to cook the flour in the butter until it turns smooth and silky.
Turn the heat down to a simmer, then slowly pour in the milk mixture stirring well to prevent lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce starts to thicken. Add the cheese and stir until melted then add the fresh thyme.
Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, then spoon into muffin cases, then top with a little sprinkle of brown bread crumbs.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the top of the pasta is golden. Leave until slightly warm before removing from the muffin cases. This will keep the muffins together and make it easy for your baby to manage.