Ask a group of young kids what their favorite dish is, and most will probably say macaroni and cheese. There is nothing like noodles enveloped in creamy cheese. The soul food dish is a favorite of kids and adults alike. Although readily available as a packaged food, macaroni and cheese can also be made from scratch. Here are some recipes, any of which would make a quick and easy gift for your little ones on Christmas Eve.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Tomato

1 lb. macaroni

1 10.75-oz. can condensed tomato soup

1-1/4 c. milk

3 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

8 T. butter, divided

1/4 c. dry breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Combine pasta, soup, milk, cheese and 6 T. butter. Pour into 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs, dot with remaining butter and bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Blue Cheese Macaroni

2 c. macaroni

2 T. butter

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 c. green bell pepper, sliced

1/2 c. red bell pepper, sliced

3/4 c. heavy cream

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. plain yogurt

1 c. crumbled blue cheese

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Combine butter, salt, pepper and bell peppers and simmer until heated through. Add cream, flour, yogurt and cheeses. Stir in pasta and serve hot.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 c. dry breadcrumbs

2 T. butter, melted

8 oz. macaroni

2 T. butter

1 small onion, minced

1 T. all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 t. dry mustard

1-1/2 c. milk

2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish. Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and set aside. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain and place in casserole dish. Melt butter, add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add flour, salt, pepper, dry mustard and milk. Simmer, stirring constantly until milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and blend in Cheddar cheese. Pour over pasta and sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs. Bake for 20 minutes, or until top is golden and bubbly.

Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese

8 oz. macaroni

1/4 c. butter, plus 2 T.

2-1/2 T. all-purpose flour

3 c. milk

2 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1/2 c. breadcrumbs

1 pinch paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Melt 1/4 c. butter over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses and cook over low heat until thick. Place pasta in a large casserole dish and cover with sauce. Melt 2 T. butter, add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over macaroni and cheese, sprinkle with paprika and bake for 30 minutes.

Triple Cheese Macaroni

1 16-oz. pkg. macaroni

2 eggs

1 12-oz. can evaporated milk

1/4 c. butter, melted

2 T. prepared mustard

1 t. seasoned salt

1 t. pepper

8 oz. process cheese, melted

2 c. mild Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

2 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Whisk together eggs, milk, butter, mustard, seasoned salt and pepper. Add processed cheese and 1-1/2 cups of each cheese. Combine with pasta, pour into a greased 3-quart baking dish and top with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly.

There are hundreds more macaroni and cheese recipes. Do a search and take your pick.