Secret Veggie Mac N’ Cheese

Shhh, don’t tell….It’s no secret that Macaroni and Cheese is a crowd pleaser among kids (and adults too). I found a way for kids who love Mac N’ Cheese to get their veggies in at the same time!

How did I do this you ask? By using veggies that are the same orange hue as the classic Macaroni and Cheese that we have all grown to know and love. I used sweet potatoes and carrots! I also decided on sharp cheddar to ensure that cheesy flavor still stands out.

Ingredients:

-1 cup carrots

-1 large sweet potato

-2 cups milk

-1/2 teaspoon turmeric

-1 teaspoon paprika

-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

-2 tablespoons butter

-5 cups elbow macaroni (I use whole wheat)

-Salt to taste

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Step #1

Cut up sweet potato and carrots, and add to a pot with enough water to cover

the vegetables.

Step#2

Once the veggies have come to a boil and have become soft enough for a fork to pierce through, drain water and return veggies to pot. Add the milk and using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.

Step#3

Once the sauce is smooth, add your spices, sharp cheddar, butter and salt to taste. Stir until all cheese is melted.

Step#4

In a separate pot, cook your noodles. Drain and add to pot of cheese sauce. Serve and watch your kids eat up the veggies they never knew they were eating!

FUN FACT: What is that orange powder that comes in your box of Macaroni and Cheese that magically becomes creamy sauce? Its dehydrated cheese! This means that cheese goes through a process where all the moisture is removed from it, turning it into a dry powder. Once you add the butter and milk to the mixture, it brings it back to life by returning moisture to it!