Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese

If you’re a parent to a toddler, then I am sure you know well how eating habits change almost every day. For a couple of weeks, our toddler disliked anything green or red, so we had to become super creative with combining something that he liked, like mac and cheese, with something that he currently didn’t want anymore, like zucchini and broccoli. That’s how we came up with this Hidden Vegetables Mac and Cheese. Our son loves it, and we love how we get to eat something super comforting like Mac and Cheese while still eating tons of veggies. The whole trick is in the preparation of the vegetables. Instead of chopping them, we decided to grate them to become a part of the sauce. Creamy, delicious, and hidden.

Creamy Vegetable Mac and Cheese

This creamy Vegetable Mac and Cheese is one of those recipes that we love to make time and time again. Here’s why:

the sauce is creamy, luscious, rich
the (optional) hazelnut topping adds a lovely crunchy layer
this is a beautiful meatless, vegetarian meal that is packed with vegetables
it’s a simple recipe, perfect for beginners
it takes about half an hour to make it, so it’s ideal for busy people

How to make this Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese at home

This Veg Mac and Cheese is super simple to make. The first step is entirely optional, and it’s for roasted hazelnuts that are perfect for serving, the second is the veggie cheese sauce, and the third is cooking the pasta. It’s all super quick and straightforward. You can find the recipe with ingredients and method below; here’s a quick overview for easier preparation.

Optionally roast and peel the hazelnuts.
Grate the vegetables.
In a saucepan, combine the cheese sauce with the veggies.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Season and toss everything together.
Serve the Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese as soon as possible.

How do I make this veg mac and cheese my own

Homemade Veggie Mac and Cheese is perfect as it is, but it’s also nice to make it exciting and compelling. We love adding grated veggies, and here are some other possible add-ins:

optionally add even more veggies, like cauliflower
meat lovers will adore mac and cheese served with pan-fried pancetta or bacon
for some freshness, sprinkle with diced chives or parsley before serving
for an even creamier sauce, stir in about a tablespoon of cream cheese before serving

Storing

We don’t recommend storing the whole Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese dish, but you can easily store the sauce separately. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and keep it sealed in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before serving, reheat in a pan on the stove. Don’t let the sauce boil. Serve with your favorite pasta.

Try these amazing meatless pasta recipes too

METHOD

Optional (for serving)

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 200 °C / 390 °F. Arrange the hazelnuts over a baking sheet and place them into the oven to roast for 8 - 10 minutes. Wrap warm hazelnuts in a kitchen towel and rub nuts in the towel to remove loose skins. Roughly chop it.
make the sauce

Clean the vegetables and peel them if needed. Grate the zucchini, broccoli, and carrots into a small bowl. Place a saucepan with butter, flour, and garlic powder over low heat. Using a whisk, combine and cook for 5 minutes, or until the butter melts and the flour becomes beige. While continuously whisking, pour milk into the mixture to get a smooth sauce. Add the grated vegetables and cook for 10 minutes.
cook the pasta

Place a pot with salted boiling water over medium-high heat. Add your favorite pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup (60ml) of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
finish the sauce

Remove the veggies mixture from the stove and blend slightly using an immersion blender. Add both of the grated cheeses. Stir well with a whisk for the cheese to melt and to get a smooth sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the cheese mixture over the drained pasta and stir well. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to create a more luscious pasta.
serve

Divide the Veggie Mac and Cheese between four pasta plates or bowls. Optionally serve with chopped roasted hazelnuts.

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Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese