Monday

Mac & Cheese Bites with Grilled Chicken Skewers

• Prepare Kraft mac & cheese according to box directions. Press firmly into a lightly oiled baking dish. Chill for 30 minutes, then cut into small squares.
• Pan-fry the mac & cheese bites in a little butter on the stovetop until golden and slightly crispy on the outside (about 2-3 minutes per side).
• Cut grilled chicken into small cubes and thread onto child-safe skewers.
• Why it works: Familiar mac & cheese in a fun, dippable shape provides novelty without changing the food.

Tuesday

Rice Cakes with Cheese Stars and Cucumber Sticks

• Cook white rice according to package directions. While warm, press firmly into small, round shapes using a cookie cutter or by hand.
• Make plain cheese quesadillas (tortilla + cheese, grilled until melted). Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes from the quesadilla.
• Cut cucumber into small sticks instead of slices.
• Why it works: The same safe foods are presented in new, appealing shapes, making dinner feel different without introducing new ingredients.

Wednesday

Crispy Quesadilla Dippers with Grilled Chicken & Rice

• Prepare plain cheese quesadillas as usual. Once cooked, cut into narrow strips or "dippers."
• Grill chicken until cooked through and cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Serve white rice plain alongside the quesadilla dippers and chicken.
• Why it works: The familiar quesadilla is transformed into a new format, encouraging a different way to interact with a safe food.

Thursday

Waffle-Iron Mac & Cheese with Chips & Cucumber

• Prepare Kraft mac & cheese according to box directions. Lightly grease a waffle iron.
• Spoon portions of mac & cheese into the waffle iron and cook until golden and slightly crispy (about 3-5 minutes).
• Serve with tortilla chips and plain cucumber slices.
• Why it works: The waffle iron transforms the texture and shape of the beloved Kraft mac & cheese, creating a completely new experience with a trusted food.

Friday

Chicken & Rice Nests with Quesadilla Shapes

• Cook white rice according to package directions. Press warm rice into small, flat "nests" or patties.
• Pan-fry the rice nests in a little butter until lightly crispy on the edges (about 2-3 minutes per side).
• Grill chicken until cooked through and cut into small, bite-sized pieces, placing them in or next to the rice nests.
• Make plain cheese quesadillas and cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters.
• Why it works: Reshaping the rice and quesadilla provides visual novelty, making a familiar meal feel like a special treat.

Stretch bite (optional)

*Offer a different shape of tortilla chip.* Place a few round tortilla chips (same brand, if possible) on the plate alongside the usual triangle chips, without comment or pressure.

Shopping list

Dairy/Refrigerated

• Butter
• Vanilla yogurt (no chunks)
• Shredded cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese for quesadillas)

Pantry

• Kraft mac & cheese (blue box)
• White rice
• Tortilla chips (triangle and optionally round)
• Small white flour tortillas

Produce

• Cucumbers

Meat

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders