Description

This kid-friendly Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese recipe cleverly incorporates steamed cauliflower and sweet potatoes into the creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a delicious way to sneak extra vegetables into a classic comfort food, with a rich, dairy or dairy-free milk-based cheese sauce made smooth with arrowroot starch. The pasta is cooked al dente and combined with a flavorful, wholesome blend that’s perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

8 oz short pasta
2 cups cauliflower florets (about ½ head cauliflower)
1 cup cubed sweet potatoes (½ inch, peeled)
1¼ cups full-fat milk (dairy or dairy-free, divided; coconut milk used)
2 tbsp ghee (or butter)
1 tbsp arrowroot starch (or flour)
1½ cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until slightly al dente. Drain and set aside without rinsing to preserve starchiness.
Steam Vegetables: Place cauliflower florets and cubed sweet potatoes in a steamer basket over 1½ cups boiling water in a large saucepan. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until fork tender.
Puree Vegetables: Transfer steamed cauliflower and sweet potatoes to a blender with ½ cup of milk. Blend until smooth to create a creamy veggie base for the sauce.
Make Roux: Heat a large pot over medium heat, add ghee and arrowroot starch, whisking until combined and smooth. Slowly add ¾ cup milk, whisking continuously until the mixture comes to a boil, forming a thickened base.
Add Cheese and Veggie Puree: Reduce heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, the pureed veggies, garlic powder, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring on low heat until the cheese has completely melted and sauce is smooth.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the pot from heat and fold in the cooked pasta, mixing well to coat every piece with the cheesy veggie sauce. Adjust salt to taste.
Optional Broil: For a browned top, transfer the mac and cheese into a baking dish and broil in the oven for 5 minutes until golden and bubbly on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can use dairy milk or a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk to make this recipe vegan-friendly with a suitable cheese substitute.
Arrowroot starch is used as a thickener but can be substituted with all-purpose flour if unavailable.
Do not rinse pasta after cooking to help the sauce adhere better.
Broiling is optional but adds a nice texture contrast with a golden crust.
This recipe makes great leftovers and reheats well on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: hidden veggie mac and cheese, kid friendly mac and cheese, cauliflower mac and cheese, sweet potato mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, healthy comfort food