Roasted Veggie Mac & Cheese (Print Version)

Creamy macaroni with roasted vegetables and melted cheese blend. Comfort food with a nutritious twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Roasted Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 zucchini, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup broccoli florets
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 2 cups whole milk
13 - 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 - ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
16 - ½ teaspoon mustard powder
17 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How To:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
05 - For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
06 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in mustard powder and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Add cooked macaroni and roasted vegetables to the sauce. Stir until well combined and heated through.
09 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It sneaks in vegetables without feeling like a compromise, just pure creamy comfort.
  • The roasted veggies add sweetness and texture that plain mac and cheese never could.
  • You can adapt it to whatever produce is sitting in your fridge.
  • It comes together in under an hour with minimal fuss.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring the vegetables halfway through roasting or the bottoms will burn while the tops stay pale.
  • Add the milk to the roux slowly and whisk constantly, or you'll end up with lumps that are impossible to smooth out.
  • Shred your own cheese instead of using pre shredded, which contains anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
03 -
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, then stir in a splash if the sauce gets too thick.
  • Taste your cheese sauce before adding the pasta and adjust the seasoning, because once everything is mixed it's harder to fix.
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool for a minute before stirring them in so they don't break apart completely.
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