Veggie Mac and Cheese

Name: Veggie Mac n Cheese
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: non-stick cooking spray; 8 ounces elbow pasta, cooked per box instructions; 12 ounce can low fat evaporated milk; 1 1/2 cups milk; 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (shred a block of cheese, don't sure pre-shredded); 8 ounces Velveeta, cubed; 1 cup chopped broccoli, steamed; 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon salt

Veggie Mac and Cheese is going to be your new go-to mac & cheese recipe! Our version has a nutrition boost from riced cauliflower and broccoli without losing the cheesy flavor kids love. It’s kid-approved!

Veggie Mac n’ Cheese combines the cheesiness that kids love with the nutrition moms want. The creaminess combined with the flavor-packed ingredients makes this Mac n cheese with veggies perfect for any dinner meal or side dish.

Veggie Mac and cheese in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl. The Mac and cheese bowl is on top of a white countertop next to a blue dish towel and baking dish.

We know how difficult it can be to encourage your picky eaters to eat vegetables at meals. Trust me, as a mom of two, I have been in your shoes more than once. We’ve found that combining veggies into casseroles, slow cooker meals, etc. really improves the quanity of veggies eaten by kids at a meal.

Mac and cheese with veggies being shown in a white baking dish with a spoon scooping a serving from the dish.

What is Veggie Mac and Cheese?

It is a Mac n cheese recipe made with broccoli florets and riced cauliflower. The broccoli adds a burst of color and nutrition while the cauliflower adds an extra boost of nutrients all while keeping the flavor of traditional Mac n cheese.

Equipment:

9 x 13 inch baking pan
medium-sized mixing bowl
stir spoon
measuring cups
cutting board
knife
tin foil

Ingredients:

non-stick cooking spray
8 ounces elbow pasta, cooked per box instructions
12 ounce can low fat evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (shred a block of cheese, don’t use pre-shredded)
8 ounces Velveeta, cubed
1 cup chopped broccoli, steamed
1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Broccoli, riced cauliflower, elbow pasta, salt and pepper being shown in a large glass mixing bowl that is on top of a granite countertop.

How to Make:

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray your baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix all of the ingredients. To a medium-sized mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, evaporated milk, milk, sharp cheddar cheese, cubed velveeta, steamed broccoli, frozen riced cauliflower, pepper, and salt. Stir well.
Bake. Pour the pasta mixture into the baking pan. Cover with tin foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Broccoli, riced cauliflower, shredded cheese and chunks of cheese being shown in a glass mixing bowl with milk being poured into the bowl.

FAQ:

What veggie goes with Mac and cheese?

This recipe is made with steamed broccoli and cauliflower but 2 cups of your family’s favorite vegetables can be swapped. Carrots, celery, butternut squash, bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, zucchini and yellow squash are all veggies that go with Mac and cheese. Steam, sauté or roast the veggies before adding.

Can I buy pre-shredded cheese for veggie Mac and cheese?

We recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself – this is key to a thick and creamy cheese sauce. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in cornstarch that can interfere with the creaminess of the recipe and tends to not melt as well.

How do you store this veggie Mac and cheese recipe?

In an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to heat, simply reheat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until hot.

A large white baking dish filled with Mac n cheese on top of a granite countertop with a blue dish towel next to the dish.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes:

In our house, Mac and cheese is a staple and constantly being requested for dinner. To change up the dinner routine, we rotate between a variety of Mac and cheese recipes. Check out a few of our favorite ways to add Mac n cheese to the dinner rotation!

A white baking dish being shown filled with baked veggie Mac and cheese

More Nutritious Recipes for Kids:

If you enjoyed the recipe make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below! Then follow me on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. I love seeing what you come up with!

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Veggie Mac n Cheese

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5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 12 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Servings 8

Equipment

9 x 13 inch baking pan
medium-sized mixing bowl
stir spoon
measuring cups
cutting board
knife
tin foil

Ingredients

non-stick cooking spray
8 ounces elbow pasta, cooked per box instructions
12 ounce can low fat evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded shred a block of cheese, don't sure pre-shredded
8 ounces Velveeta, cubed
1 cup chopped broccoli, steamed
1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray your baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix all of the ingredients. To a medium-sized mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, evaporated milk, milk, sharp cheddar cheese, cubed velveeta, steamed broccoli, frozen riced cauliflower, pepper, and salt. Stir well.
Bake. Pour the pasta mixture into the baking pan. Cover with tin foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition

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