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Home » Recipes » Main meals

Vegetable macaroni cheese with three hidden veg

January 9, 2017 by Mandy Mazliah 35 Comments

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vegetable macaroni cheese in pots

This hidden vegetable macaroni cheese contains three different vegetables - sweet potato, butternut squash and cauliflower. Perfect for picky eaters.

three vegetable macaroni cheese

This hidden vegetable macaroni cheese looks exactly the same as standard macaroni cheese.

However, it has three healthy and delicious portions of vegetables added - cauliflower, sweet potato and butternut squash.

It's one of my favourite vegetarian recipes for kids.

It's equally perfect for anyone who wants to find an easy way to get more vegetables into their diet and for picky eaters who try to avoid vegetables!

vegetable macaroni cheese

Hiding vegetables in food for kids and toddlers

These days I'm all for transparency in feeding my kids and I try to avoid hiding too many vegetables in their meals.

However on occasion I just want to make sure that my children - in particular my eldest - do eat some vegetables! That's when dishes like this come in so handy.

My hidden vegetable mac and cheese looks exactly like ordinary macaroni cheese. It's a great hidden vegetable recipe for toddlers and older kids alike.

vegetable mac and cheese

What vegetables are in this macaroni cheese?

I've been blending butternut squash into cheese sauce for ages. On this occasion I  decided to see if I could create a really sneaky mac and cheese by including more vegetables.

In this recipe for hidden veggie macaroni cheese I've added cauliflower, sweet potato and butternut squash. It all got eaten, and no-one noticed the difference.

This doesn't mean that my son is any more likely to pick up a floret of cauliflower and tuck into it any time soon. But at least I know that when he's eaten a plate of this he's had some goodness - not just a heap of carbs and dairy.

If you're struggling with picky eating you might enjoy my recent post over on the metro about how I learnt to relax about my child's fussy eating.

More hidden veg recipes 

  • Butternut squash macaroni and cheese
  • Butternut squash cheese straws
  • Sweet potato flatbread

Here's how to make hidden vegetable macaroni cheese

If you've made this recipe please a star rating and comment below. Thank you!

Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.

small pots of hidden vegetable macaroni cheese

Hidden vegetable mac and cheese

Mandy Mazliah
This three hidden vegetable mac and cheese recipe contains sweet potato, butternut squash and cauliflower and is perfect for picky eaters. In my opinion it tastes even better than regular mac 'n' cheese.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine International
Servings 4
Calories 498 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 medium sweet potato around 200g, peeled and diced
  • 200 g butternut squash peeled and diced
  • 200 g cauliflower broken into smallish florets
  • 25 g butter or dairy free alternative
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour
  • 500 ml milk or dairy free alternative
  • 100 g cheddar cheese or dairy free alternative
  • 200 g macaroni or other pasta shape
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 50 g breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • Place the sweet potato, butternut squash and cauliflower together in a steamer and steam for 10-15 minutes until soft.
  • Bring a large pan of boiling water to the boil, add 200g macaroni and cook for 10 minutes or so, until just soft. I don't usually salt the water when I'm cooking for the kids but feel free to if you want.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6. Melt 25g butter in a small saucepan. Stir through 1 tablespoon plain flour and whisk in 500ml milk. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cook, stirring often, for around five minutes. Don't worry about the sauce thickening too much as you want it to be on the runny side for macaroni cheese.
  • Remove from the heat and add 100g grated cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
  • Add the cooked vegetables to the sauce and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Add the cooked pasta and mix well. If you like you can serve it like this or if you prefer then transfer to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle over 50g breadcrumbs and grate a little more cheese over the top. Cook in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or until bubbling and the top is golden.

Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 19gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 749mgFiber: 7gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 13851IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 455mgIron: 3mg
Keyword hidden vegetable macaroni cheese
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vegetable macaroni cheese in pots

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Comments

  1. Jenny

    November 28, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Do you think this would work with pumpkin? I have some left over.

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      November 28, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Jenny, thanks for commenting. This would absolutely work with pumpkin - you can use any combination of butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato and/or cauliflower and it'll turn out lovely.

      Reply
  2. Tanya

    January 25, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    This sounds great! I have a super picky 3.5 year old who loves pasta. Veggies, not so much. Could you share what the measurements would be in cups instead of grams? Thanks much!

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 25, 2018 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Tanya - glad you like the look of it! Cup measurements are now included on this recipe - simply switch the toggle on the recipe card to US Customary.

      Reply
  3. Ang

    October 21, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    This looks fab...how do you make it vegan yet still have a "cheesy" taste to it?

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      October 21, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      Nutritional yeast is the best thing to add to vegan cheese sauce - it has a cheesy/nutty flavour

      Reply
  4. Angela Entwistle

    January 16, 2017 at 11:47 am

    This sounds delicioous Mandy, I know you rustled it uo to ensure your children had some healthy nutrients in their diet but to be honest I'd be very very happy to tuck into this - yum!Angela x

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 17, 2017 at 10:33 am

      Thanks Angela - I think it tastes much nicer with the added veg actually - more depth of flavour or something!

      Reply
  5. The Peachicks Bakery

    January 15, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    What a great way to sneak the extra vitamins into them especially at this time of year! Love the idea of making little ones - they are so cute! Have saved for later as would be really easy to make this Peachick Friendly with some dairyfree alternatives! Thanks for sharing! x

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks for commenting! I think the veggies help to get a better flavour with a dairy free Mac n cheese - I sometimes make a vegan version with butternut squash X

      Reply
  6. Kat BakingExplorer

    January 15, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Mac and cheese always feels so sinful, so it's great to see a recipe that does good and feels good when you eat it!

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 9:24 pm

      I agree - it's so good but really just pure stodge! Love to add some veg to make it feel a bit healthier X

      Reply
  7. Hijacked by Twins

    January 13, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    This is a true Sneaky Veg meal! Love it, it is great getting extra veg into the kids without them knowing! But I, like you, also want them to know what veg they have enjoyed so that next time they have it there is no problems! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 5:42 am

      It's always risky telling R about the veg - even if he's loved it sometimes he won't eat it again if he knows there are veggies in a meal 🙁

      Reply
  8. Vicki

    January 13, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    I love the look of this. The problem is that my little fussy eater won't touch any kind of white sauce making macaroni cheese off the menu! I think it's because she had a dairy allergy when she was young 🙁

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 5:41 am

      Oh that's a shame - hopefully she'll learn to love it in the future X

      Reply
  9. Corina

    January 12, 2017 at 8:59 pm

    They look yummy! My daughter refuses pasta but it would be a good way to give my husband extra veg!

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 5:41 am

      Shame she doesn't like pasta - such a convenient food 🙁

      Reply
  10. Louise Fairweather

    January 12, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I am going to try this.My boys love macaroni cheese but put a tiny bit of vegetable in and they are picking it out. I will give blitzing them a go! #cookblogshare

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 15, 2017 at 5:40 am

      Let me know how it goes! Veggies always get picked out here too if the can be seen.

      Reply
  11. De Tout Coeur Limousin

    January 12, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Lovely flavours - squash works so well with pasta - and especially mac and cheese 🙂

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 12, 2017 at 12:19 pm

      Thanks so much - I love squash and pasta - it's the perfect combo x

      Reply
  12. Eb Gargano

    January 10, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    That looks and sounds so nice - and well done for sneaking all those veg into your kids!! Do you tell them what's in it - or would they refuse to eat it if you did? Eb x

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 11, 2017 at 6:11 am

      R knows I usually put butternut squash in but I didn't risk telling him when I added the extra veg as he's been known to refuse to eat even one bite 🙁 I'd really like to be totally honest but I also don't want him to go for days on end with no fruit and veg!

      Reply
  13. Bronwyn Dawson

    January 10, 2017 at 9:19 am

    These look perfect - I don't have kids but I think I could get my boyfriend eating more vegetable with this recipe 🙂 Sweet potato and butternut squash are my all time favourite veggies too, so I'll definitely be giving this a go #CookBlogShare.

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 10, 2017 at 10:26 am

      You wouldn't believe the number of women who have said they use my Sneaky Veg recipes on their boyfriends/husbands! I love it. Hope you both enjoy it.

      Reply
  14. Monika Dabrowski

    January 10, 2017 at 8:02 am

    These look lovely, Mandy! My kids are older than yours but I still occasionally make dishes with hidden vegetables. And I also like your choice of vegetable to hide:)

    Reply
    • Mandy Mazliah

      January 10, 2017 at 10:26 am

      Thanks Monika! Weirdly it's my eldest who won't eat the veg - the smallest is the best of the lot!

      Reply
    • Rachel

      April 27, 2022 at 5:31 pm

      4 stars
      Tried this on my toddler who a year ago would happily eat spinach pesto and now refuses anything that isnt beige and he loved it! So good to give him something that he enjoys while knowing it's getting a few veggies in!

      Reply
      • Mandy Mazliah

        April 28, 2022 at 7:22 am

        So glad to hear that he enjoyed it!

        Reply

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