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Easy July 4th Menu for Picky Eaters Who Only Eat 5 Foods

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A fuss-free, crowd-pleasing July 4th menu designed for picky eaters featuring classic American flavors like burgers, crispy oven fries, creamy macaroni and cheese, watermelon wedges, and a refreshing berry dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (prefer kosher salt)
  • 4 plain hamburger buns (soft but sturdy)
  • Cheddar cheese slices (optional)
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) butter (for toasting buns)
  • 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into fries
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: paprika or garlic powder for fries
  • 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) butter (for cheese sauce)
  • 2 tbsp (16 g) flour (for thickening cheese sauce)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (for cheese sauce)
  • 1 small seedless watermelon or half a large one, cut into wedges
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries, rinsed
  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt (plain or vanilla flavored)
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional for added sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut russet potatoes into 1/4 inch thick fries. Toss with olive oil, salt, and optional paprika or garlic powder. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until thickened and smooth (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and cottage cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Stir cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until well coated. Cover and keep warm.
  5. Form ground beef into 4 equal patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and cook patties 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Add cheddar slices on top during last minute to melt. Toast buns with butter until golden.
  6. Slice watermelon into wedges. In small cups, layer vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries and blueberries. Drizzle with honey if desired.
  7. Serve burgers on buns, fries in a basket or plate, macaroni and cheese in a bowl, watermelon wedges on a side plate, and berry cups as dessert.

Notes

For crispy fries, do not overcrowd the baking sheet and flip fries halfway through baking. Blend cottage cheese into the cheese sauce for smooth texture. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Use gluten-free buns and flour for gluten-free option. Use almond or oat milk and dairy-free cheese and butter for dairy-free version. Grilling burgers adds smoky flavor. Reheat fries in oven or air fryer to keep crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: July 4th, picky eaters, burgers, oven fries, macaroni and cheese, watermelon, berry dessert, easy recipes, summer menu

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-july-4th-menu-for-picky-eaters-who-only-eat-5-foods-perfect-recipes/