Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese

4.82 from 33 votes

Hidden veggie mac and cheese is a classic comfort food with a twist. The cheese sauce is made by blending veggies while adding nutrition. Enjoy a delicious and healthy meal in every bite!

Course Dinner, Entree, Pastas

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 478kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

2 carrots peeled and roughly chopped
1 small head cauliflower cut into florets
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt plus more for water
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 cups milk
2 cups water
1 pound elbow pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, or until tender. Remove from water with a slotted spoon and place in a high speed blender along with ½ cup of the cooking water. Blend until smooth and set aside.
Drain the pot, add butter and set over low heat. Once melted, add flour, salt and pepper. Cook butter and flour mixture for 2 minutes, or until it is golden brown and smells nutty. Increase the heat to high, add the milk, water and pasta, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the milk has reduced to a thick and creamy sauce.
Remove from heat and stir in the blended carrots and cauliflower and the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and everything is well combined.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in a container fitted with an airtight lid in the refrigerator. Your leftover mac and cheese will keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Freezing instructions: To freeze veggie mac and cheese, place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon or two of milk to return some creaminess to the sauce. You can also reheat it in the oven; just place it in a baking dish, cover, and place in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition