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Hidden veggies mac and cheese.
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4.79 from 19 votes

Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese

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
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 478kcal
Author Yumna Jawad

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

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3204IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 379mg | Iron: 1mg