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    Home » Pasta Recipes

    Veggie Mac and Cheese

    Published: May 5, 2019 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Sep 16, 2022 · 1062 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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    People go crazy over this Veggie Mac and Cheese! The rich and creamy sauce is the perfect balance for broccoli, carrots and baby peas. This recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand if you feel like switching things up. Sometimes when I'm craving extra cheese, I sprinkle some Parmesan on top.

    Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese - This is Mac n Cheese all grown up! Packed with veggies and a blend of Grand Cru®, Havarti and Sharp Cheddar. Sharp, silky and oh so creamy! - WendyPolisi.com
    This Veggie Mac and Cheese is the perfect casserole for Meatless Monday!
    First Published: April 10, 2016...
    Last Updated: May 5, 2019

    Mac and Cheese was a staple in our house when I was a kid, but I was an adult before I ever tasted homemade Mac n Cheese.

    Like a lot of kids from the '70s, Mac and Cheese was a staple in my diet growing up.

    Now we aren't talking something like this Veggie Mac and Cheese.

    We are talking about the one that comes in a box with powdered cheese.

    My sister and I use to argue about the best way to make it. Should you melt the butter and then add the milk and sauce mix, or should everything go into the pot at once?

    (Since I am sure you are dying to know, I was on team everything goes in on top of the drained noodles at once.)

    It wasn't until I was grown and learned to cook on my own that I ever tasted homemade Mac and Cheese.

    Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese - This is Mac n Cheese all grown up! Packed with veggies and a blend of Grand Cru®, Havarti and Sharp Cheddar. Sharp, silky and oh so creamy! - WendyPolisi.com

    That moment began a love affair that will last a lifetime.

    In the beginning, I made a simple recipe that ultimately evolved into what my boys now call "Mom's World Famous."

    It is still one of my most requested dishes from the boys for special occasions, and something the whole family agrees on. (If you have been around here long, you know that that is a rare thing around my house.)

    Over time, my palate has evolved, and I prefer getting a bit more adventurous in the kitchen. Though my traditional Mac n Cheese is great comfort food, I much prefer today's Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese.

    It just feels better to add a little veggies to an otherwise decadent dish!

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    Made with gluten free penne, sharp cheddar, fresh spring vegetables and a hint of cayenne, this is Mac n Cheese all grown up!

    How to Make Veggie Mac and Cheese

    #1 Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 casserole dish with cooking spray. Gather your ingredients and measure.

    Ingreidents for Veggie Mac and Cheese in white prep bowls.

    #2 Cook Pasta and Veggies: Cook pasta according to package directions, adding in the vegetables in the last two minutes. Drain and rinse.

    #3 While the Pasta Cooks Make the Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

    Photo of butter melted in a saucepan with the other ingredients for Veggie Mac and Cheese sitting beside it.

    #4 Add Flour: Add flour, and whisk for 2 minutes, until golden brown.

    #5 Add Milk: Add in the milk and cook, stirring often, for about 8 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

    Photo of milk being added to a saucepan with melted butter and flour.

    #6: Add Cheese: Add in all but ½ cup of the cheese, mustard powder, sea salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook over low until the cheese melts.

    Photo of the cheese being added to veggie mac and cheese.

    #7 Add Pasta: Toss the pasta and veggies with the cheese sauce.

    Photo of pasta and veggies being added to the sauce for Veggie Mac and Cheese.

    #8 Transfer and Bake: Transfer to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.

    Photo of veggie mac and cheese in a white casserole dish ready to go in the oven.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What veggies go with mac and cheese?

    Shredded carrots, baby peas, broccoli, diced tomatoes, and sauteed spinach are all great options for adding to this recipe. Feel free to substitute whatever you have on hand.

    What are the best cheeses for Mac and Cheese?

    You can use a wide variety of cheeses, and even use your own blend to create a more complex flavor profile. Good options include cheddar, Colby, Gruyere, Swiss, fontina, Gouda, and goat cheese. Smoked cheeses can make for especially interesting flavors.

    Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese - This is Mac n Cheese all grown up! Packed with veggies and a blend of Grand Cru®, Havarti and Sharp Cheddar. Sharp, silky and oh so creamy! - WendyPolisi.com

    Tips to Make This Recipe

    • Make sure that your heat is not too high when you add the cheese. This can cause your sauce to break.
    • This dish can be prepared up to a day ahead of time and baked when you are ready to serve. Alternatively, you can make this completely ahead of time and reheat. You may wish to add a bit of butter or milk when reheating.
    • Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for up to three days. You may freeze this for up to 3 months.

    If You Like This Veggie Mac and Cheese You may Also Like:

    • Skinny Mac and Cheese
    • Southwestern Veggie Wrap
    • Quinoa Mac and Cheese
    • Loaded Veggie Quinoa Pasta
    • Cashew Mac and Cheese
    • Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
    • Kimchi Mac & Cheese

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese - This is Mac n Cheese all grown up! Packed with veggies and a blend of Grand Cru®, Havarti and Sharp Cheddar. Sharp, silky and oh so creamy! - WendyPolisi.com
    If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my recipes.

    Veggie Mac and Cheese

    This Ultimate Veggie Mac and Cheese is a delicious way to get your kids eating more vegetables!  Cheesy, creamy, and so delicious. Resistance is futile!

    Close up photo of a casserole dish with veggie mac and cheese.
    Print Recipe
    4.80 from 5 votes

    Veggie Mac and Cheese

    This Ultimate Veggie Mac n Cheese is a delicious way to get your kids eating more vegetables!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time37 mins
    Total Time57 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cheesy
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 474kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Equipment

    • 13 x 9 Casserole Dish
    • Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Colander

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces gluten free penne
    • 1 head broccoli chopped
    • 1 ½ cups English peas shelled
    • 2 large carrots grated (or 3 medium sized)
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons gluten free flour
    • 2 cups milk
    • 18 ounces cheddar cheese or cheese blend
    • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13 x 9 casserole dish with cooking spray.
    • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding vegetables in the last two minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
    • Meanwhile, make sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. 
    • Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes, until golden brown. (Note that some gluten-free flours do in brown well.)
    •  Add milk and cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Add all but ½ cup cheese, mustard powder, salt, pepper and cayenne.
    •  Cook over low heat until cheese melts.
    • Toss pasta and veggies with cheese sauce and place in a casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
    • Bake for 25 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 624mg | Potassium: 506mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3630IU | Vitamin C: 63.8mg | Calcium: 471mg | Iron: 1.8mg

    Other Gluten Free Pasta Recipes to Try:

    • Gluten Free Baked Ziti
    • Gluten Free Baked Spaghetti

    Filed Under:

    Casserole RecipesFavoritesGluten Free RecipesMain Dish RecipesPasta RecipesSide Dish Recipes

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Creamy Ninja Foodi Chicken Alfredo
    • Gluten Free Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Tahini Pasta
    • Creamy Ninja Foodi Mac and Cheese

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Rating




    1. Kristen

      April 14, 2016 at 1:31 am

      I'd like to try their cheese in a quiche.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        July 11, 2017 at 5:50 pm

        5 stars
        Yes! That would be fabulous!

        Reply
    2. Vanessa Perrine-Luster

      September 10, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      What is Roth Ultimate Mac & Cheese?

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        September 11, 2017 at 12:43 pm

        It is a cheese blend that is pre-shredded. If your grocery store doesn't carry it, just use your preferred cheese for mac & cheese. (I like extra sharp cheddar.)

        Reply
    3. MPaula

      April 07, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      I saute some vegetables, especially onions, mushrooms and peppers, and them into the finished mac and cheese. I also add frozen peas when the pasta is almost finished cooking. I don't drink milk so I don't have it in the house. In university, I tried yoghurt, instead. Now I always make it that way.

      Reply
    4. Jenny

      July 08, 2022 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        July 09, 2022 at 3:06 pm

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Suzy Kaczmarek

      July 19, 2022 at 4:39 am

      I always forget there is gluten-free flour to make a roux so I thank you for providing this delicious-looking recipe in a gf format! I'm looking forward to trying it!!!

      Reply
    6. c

      December 25, 2022 at 10:47 pm

      Do I need to use gluten free, or will it work using reg pasta and flour?

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        December 25, 2022 at 11:52 pm

        Regular works just fine!

        Reply

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