For an easy way to add nutrition to your favorite comfort food, try this hidden veggie mac and cheese! Packed with veggies and fiber, once you blend your sauce, you won’t even know they're there.
I grew up in a Velveeta house (Kraft lovers are still welcome here). But sometimes I'm craving a creamy bowl of Mac and cheese with a little extra nutrition, and that's why I love this hidden veggie mac and cheese! It uses frozen cauliflower rice to add fiber and nutrients like vitamin C & K to your meal with minimal effort.
As a dietitian, I'm all about nutrition through addition and building balanced meals so this mac and cheese is a no brainer. It's absolutely delicious, even the kids will love it! Serve it on its own or pair it with a protein like air fryer flank steak.
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Ingredients
- elbow macaroni - the base of our dish. Elbow macaroni is a classic, but any pasta will do. You can also use a high fiber pasta for extra protein and fiber.
- frozen cauliflower rice - to add fiber and nutrients to our mac and cheese! It also helps to thicken the sauce.
- broth - chicken, beef, or veggie broth adds extra flavor to our sauce. I like to choose a lower sodium broth and then adjust the salt to my desired preference.
- shredded cheddar cheese - for flavor and creaminess. Feel free to use whatever cheese you normally use or a even a blend of your favorites.
Instructions
Cover the pasta with water. Cook until the water is almost completely absorbed and pasta is al dente. Stir often.
Microwave the cauliflower rice until tender.
Add cauliflower and broth to a blender. Blend until smooth.
Reduce heat to low and pour cauliflower sauce into the pasta. Stir in the cheese and cook until melted.
Hint: don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook once you add the cauliflower sauce and cheese.
Substitutions
- Gluten-free - use a gluten-free pasta.
- Dairy-free - swap the cheddar cheese for your favorite plant-based or dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Vegetarian - the beef or chicken broth can be replaced with veggie broth and plant-based cheese.
Storage
Refrigerate the cauliflower mac and cheese in an air-tight container for 4-5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and microwave for 30 seconds - 1 minute.
You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store it in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days, or add to a freezer container and freeze for a future week.
Top Tip
Don't overcook the pasta! Fill the pot with enough water to barely cover the uncooked pasta. It will continue to cook once you add the cauliflower sauce and cheese.
FAQ
Frozen cauliflower rice is an easy addition to mac and cheese, but you can also steam and blend butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, and broccoli for a nutritious boost.
Nope! The blended vegetables slightly alter the texture, but cauliflower has a very neutral taste so you won't even notice.
More veggie packed recipes
Load up on veggies with these delicious dishes.
Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
- 10 oz bag frozen cauliflower rice
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package and cook until the water is almost completely absorbed and pasta is al dente, stirring often.
- Microwave the cauliflower rice until tender. Add to a blender with broth and blend until smooth.
- Reduce heat to low and pour cauliflower sauce into the pasta. Stir in the cheese and cook until melted.
Did you try this? Let us know!