Easy Veggie Mac & Cheese Recipe (Kid-Friendly)
Easy Veggie Mac & Cheese Recipe (Kid-Friendly) is a healthyish comfort food meal that combines pasta, veggies, and a creamy cheesy sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz gluten-free elbow macaroni
- 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 3 cups chopped fresh cauliflower
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the veggies. Cut the broccoli and cauliflower from the stem and chop into bite-sized pieces. Wash and set aside.
- About three minutes before it is fully cooked, add the chopped broccoli and cauliflower to the pasta. REMEMBER TO RESERVE 1 CUP OF PASTA WATER BEFORE DRAINING.
- Drain the tomatoes, reserving the sauce in a small cup.
- Create a roux for your sauce, melting 4 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 4 tbsp of flour to the butter and stir continually until completely incorporated.
- Slowly stream in 2 cups of milk, stirring continually.
- Lower the heat to medium and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Pour in 1 cup of shredded cheese, stirring until melted.
- Add in 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding either some of the reserved pasta water or the reserved juice from the tomatoes. Be sure to add a very small amount at a time, mixing until you reach the desired consistency.
- Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish.
- Add the prepared veggies and the canned tomatoes to the pasta. Stir to combine.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and veggies, one half at a time. Stir up from the bottom each time to be sure all of the pasta is coated in sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the surface of the pasta.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs evenly over the pasta and cheese.
- Bake uncovered until golden on top and bubbly, 25-30 minutes.