Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
If you are a parent of young kids, I’m sure you find it challenging to get your kids to eat their veggies. I know I do at times! This hidden veggie Mac and cheese will have the kids devouring their veggies. Made with sweet potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic, your kids will be getting those valuable vitamins while still enjoying the cheesiest Mac and cheese you’ve ever had. If you love an ooey-gooey Mac and cheese, give this hidden veggie Mac and cheese recipe a try.
Why you’ll love this hidden veggie recipe
- It’s got the added nutrients of sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic, while still being super cheesy.
- Your kids will love it and you will feel good about them getting some veggies in their diet.
- It can be made ahead of time and baked when you are ready to eat it! Perfect for a weeknight meal that you just have to throw in the oven.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
- 1 oven safe baking dish
- 1 blender
- 1 Oven
- Tin foil
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Knife
- 1 Sauce Pan
Ingredients & substitutions
- 16 Oz elbow macaroni
- 1 Large carrot or two small, roasted
- 1 Medium sweet potato roasted and peel removed
- 1/4 yellow onion roasted
- 1 Head garlic roasted
- 1 Cup whole milk
- 2 Cups shredded cheddar divided
- 1 Cup velveeta cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- olive oil
How to make this kid friendly recipe
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wrap your whole sweet potato, carrot, garlic and 1/4 onion in foil.
Before wrapping, drizzle with olive oil and a generous amount of salt. Wrap and bake for 1 hour.
Let cool. Cook your pasta as directed. Drain.
Remove the inside of the week potato. Remove the peel off the garlic. Put your garlic, sweet potato, carrot and onion in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl.
Add milk and 1.5 cups cheddar, and velveeta. Stir until well combined. Salt and pepper to taste. To a large bowl, add your cooked pasta and sauce and stir together. Add mixture to a shallow oven safe dish, and top with another half cup of cheese. Bake until bubbly and hot, about 10-15 minutes depending on your oven.
FAQs about hidden veggies
Sneaking veggies into foods has a short-term benefit—your kids will get more nutrition into their bodies at that meal. However, long term, it doesn’t teach them any valuable habits. But you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do!
Without fruits and veggies, you’re more prone to digestive ailments such as constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. Fruits and vegetables contain cellulose, which increases stool weight, eases passage and reduces transit time.
The combination of pureed carrots, onions and sweet peppers hides perfectly in spaghetti sauce, soups, stews and chili. An easy-to-adapt vegetable, summer squash can be pureed to veggie-boost macaroni and cheese and contribute fiber to a kid-friendly dish.
More kid friendly recipes:
More hidden vegetable recipes:
- Zucchini Lasagna Loaf
- Pizza Pasta Casserole – Coming Soon!
Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 oven safe baking dish
- 1 blender
- 1 Oven
- Tin foil
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Knife
- 1 Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 16 Oz elbow macaroni
- 1 Large carrot or two small, roasted
- 1 Medium sweet potato roasted and peel removed
- 1/4 yellow onion roasted
- 1 Head garlic roasted
- 1 Cup whole milk
- 2 Cups shredded cheddar divided
- 1 Cup velveeta cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Wrap your whole sweet potato, carrot, garlic and 1/4 onion in foil. Before wrapping, drizzle with olive oil and a generous amount of salt. Wrap and bake for 1 hour. Let cool.Cook your pasta as directed. Drain.Remove the inside of the week potato. Remove the peel off the garlic. Put your garlic, sweet potato, carrot and onion in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl.Add milk and 1.5 cups cheddar, and velveeta. Stir until well combined. Salt and pepper to taste.To that same bowl, add your cooked pasta and sauce and stir together.Add mixture to a shallow oven safe dish, and top with another half cup of cheese. Bake until bubbly and hot.
