Quick Stovetop Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese
A simple and satisfying mac and cheese recipe with a twist – a flavorful hidden veggie-loaded cheese sauce! It’s cheesy, comforting, and healthy – sure to become an all-time favorite family meal.
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese
What’s even better than traditional mac and cheese? This kid-friendly, hidden veggie mac and cheese, of course!
This savory dish boasts not one, not two, but THREE different veggies in its base – carrots, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower. We’ve got a solid dose of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potassium and fiber thanks to these veggies.
As far as prep time, this hidden veggie mac and cheese comes together in 20 minutes, so you can easily whip this up on a busy weeknight. You could also chop your veggies ahead of time (or use frozen!) to help this meal come together even faster.
With dozens of dinner recipes for kids to choose from, like my crazy good Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, Easy 10 Minute Pita Pizza, or these readers favorite Baked Cauliflower Tots, there are zero reasons to be in a dinner food slump. Be sure to also check out my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste, for even more dinner ideas!
Veggie Mac & Cheese Video
Watch this video to see how easy it is to make this Veggie Mac & Cheese recipe!
Reasons to Love Veggie Mac & Cheese
- One pot meal
- Made in 20 minutes
- Great for the entire family
- Budget-friendly
- Easily adaptable depending on what ingredients you have
- Loaded with healthy veggies
- Perfect for baby-led weaning
- Leftovers store and freeze well
Ingredients
Be sure to read the full recipe card below for the full amounts and instructions.
- Pasta: smaller types of pasta, such as elbows, rotini, farfalle, fusilli, or penne are best for this recipe
- Cheddar Cheese: is best to be grated by hand, not pre-shredded
- Cauliflower: fresh or frozen
- Carrots: fresh or frozen
- Sweet Potatoes: fresh or frozen, or you can use Butternut Squash
- Butter: adds that rich creamy flavor to pasta; use unsalted butter
- Milk: whole milk is best for added creaminess, but you can also use 1 or 2% milk
- Salt: we’re using a very small amount anyway, but feel free to reduce by half as needed
Tip: to make this meal gluten-free, you can use any gluten-free pasta you prefer.
Benefits of Veggie Mac & Cheese
This is not your average mac and cheese. This veggie mac and cheese is full of nutrients and health benefits!
- Pasta is full of carbohydrates needed for fuel for energy.
- Cheese is an excellent source of calcium which is important for strong bones.
- All of the veggies in this mac and cheese are full of essential vitamins and minerals that help support the immune system, and fiber for healthy digestion.
- It has less preservatives, additives and sodium than your typical store bought boxed mac and cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the directions on the box for ‘al dente’. Drain.
- Meanwhile, cook your veggies. If using frozen veggies, place the veggies in a microwave-safe dish along with 2 tbsp water and cook for 2 minutes or until tender. If using fresh veggies, steam in a steamer basket over boiling water for 5-6 minutes or until tender.
- Add the cooked veggies and milk to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
- In the same pot, turn the heat to low and melt the butter. Add in the veggie mixture, shredded cheese, salt and pepper.
- Whisk the sauce until completely smooth, which usually takes 1-2 minutes for the cheese to fully melt.
- Add in the pasta and mix until well incorporated. If the sauce gets too thick, add in a few tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can absolutely make it ahead of time. It stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove top and add one tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese to a saucepan. Set to medium heat and stir to break up as it warms.
Smaller types of pasta, such as elbows, rotini, farfalle, fusilli or penne are best for this recipe. The tubular shapes and little nooks and crannies hold onto the creamy cheese sauce so well!
Yes, just know that the texture might be slightly different when you reheat it. You will likely need to add a more milk and/or butter when you reheat it. If you do plan to make a double batch to freeze, you may want to cook the pasta very al-dente so it isn’t too soggy when you reheat it.
Variations
Even those this dish calls for carrots, sweet potatoes and cauliflower as its veggies, you don’t have to feel tied to using those vegetables. The beauty of this mac and cheese is that it’s also incredibly versatile! Here are some of our favorite variations and additions.
- Peas
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Butternut squash
- Shelled Edamame
- Quartered cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- Stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese
- Top with crispy panko breadcrumbs
How to Store
Store veggie mac and cheese leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe Tips
- Shredding your own cheese is preferred, as it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Feel free to use sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor more similar to traditional mac and cheese or go with a mild cheddar for a softer flavor.
- To make meal prep even quicker, you can chop your veggies the day before or go with frozen veggies.
- Win over even the pickiest of toddlers and older kids by letting them choose from a couple toppings they can sprinkle over their bowl, such as bacon crumbles, everything bagel seasoning, panko breadcrumbs, or grated parmesan cheese.
Get the recipe: Quick Stovetop Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box for 'al dente'. Drain and reserve.
- Veggies: Meanwhile, cook your veggies. If using frozen veggies, place the veggies in a microwave-safe dish along with 2 tbsp water and cook for 2 minutes or until tender. If using fresh veggies, steam in a steamer basket over boiling water for 5-6 minutes or until tender.
- Blend: Add the cooked veggies and milk to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
- Sauce: In the same pot, turn the heat to low and melt the butter. Add in the veggie mixture, shredded cheese, salt and pepper.
- Whisk: Make sure to whisk the sauce until completely smooth, usually takes 1-2 minutes for the cheese to fully melt.
- Mac & Cheese: Add in the pasta and mix until well incorporated. If the sauce gets too thick, add in a few tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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9 Comments on “Quick Stovetop Hidden Veggie Mac & Cheese”
Absolutely love this recipe and how easy it is to make. We always end up having leftovers for the next couple days. It’s a perfect way to get those veggies in without seeing them
I love this recipe. My little one absolutely refuses to eat any vegetables, but he loves pasta and especially cheese. He eats this with gusto! I’ve made it with other veggies like Butternut squash, and it always turns out fantastic! The recipe itself is quite easy to make and comes together quickly. I will continue to make this, probably every week!
Hi Elaine! Thanks so much for your feedback. Hidden veggies for the win! =) xo, Michele
I finally tried this for the first time. My 13 year old and 1 year old both loved it!! Hidden Veggies for the absolute win! Thank you 🙏🏽
Hi Amy! So happy to hear they both loved this recipe. If a teen and 1 year old like it, that’s a win in my book! xo, Michele
Super easy recipe, and I thought it was delicious. Not too heavy, and the veggies didn’t taste too obvious. Sadly, my two year old didn’t like it—but that may have been because she was eating the shredded cheese as I was grating it and got full from that -_- I’m going to try offering it again in a couple days and see if she has a better appetite then. Would love to keep this in my rotation as it’s simple, fairly fast, and can hopefully get some veggies into my girl!
Hi Jo! Thanks for the feedback. Give it another shot. Hope your kiddo likes it! =)
My 2 year old loves mac n cheese so I’ve made a lot of the different hidden veggie mac n cheese recipes out there. This is by far our favorite! Even my husband, who often doesn’t like the mac n cheese I make, was a huge fun. It’s easy, cheesy, and delicious!
Thanks so much, Michelle! Always a win in my book when EVERYONE loves to eat something. Makes life so much easier! xo, Michele