Hidden vegetable mac and cheese
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.
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
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!