Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
Creamy stovetop mac and cheese with cauliflower and butternut squash blended right into the cheese sauce. Kid-friendly, 25 minutes, no flour roux.
If there's one dinner almost every picky eater agrees on, it's mac and cheese. So that's exactly where we hide the vegetables.
This version blends cauliflower and butternut squash into a silky cheddar sauce. The squash makes it that classic golden-orange color, the cauliflower makes it extra creamy, and you skip the flour-and-butter roux entirely.
Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed, fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Simmer the cauliflower and squash in a small pot of water for 12 to 15 minutes, until very soft. Drain.
- Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in salted water according to the package. Drain.
- Blend the cooked veggies with the milk and butter until completely smooth.
- Pour the sauce into the empty pasta pot over low heat. Stir in the cheddar a handful at a time until melted, then season with salt and garlic powder.
- Add the macaroni and stir until every noodle is coated. Serve right away.
Contains DairyContains Gluten
Tips for success
- Blend longer than you think. A perfectly smooth sauce is what makes the veggies invisible.
- Use sharp cheddar. Mild cheddar gets lost behind the vegetables.
- Leftovers thicken in the fridge. Reheat with a splash of milk.
- Short on time? Frozen cauliflower and frozen butternut squash work perfectly.
Questions
Can I freeze hidden veggie mac and cheese?
Freeze the sauce on its own for up to 2 months, then stir it into freshly cooked pasta. Frozen cooked pasta tends to turn soft.
Will my kids taste the vegetables?
With sharp cheddar and a fully smooth sauce, most kids don't. If yours is very sensitive, start with half the vegetables and work up.
Can I use sweet potato instead of butternut squash?
Yes. Use the same amount of peeled, cubed sweet potato. The sauce will be a little sweeter.
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