Garden Vegetable Mac and Cheese (Printable)

Creamy macaroni and cheese loaded with broccoli, carrots, and peas for a wholesome family favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped small
03 - 1 cup carrots, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas

→ Cheese Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 2 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
10 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
11 - 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Topping

14 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1 tablespoon melted butter

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 1 minute less than package directions. During the final 3 minutes, add broccoli and carrots. In the last minute, add peas. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk milk into the roux, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until cheese is completely melted and sauce achieves a smooth consistency.
06 - Combine drained pasta and vegetables with cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly and transfer to prepared baking dish.
07 - If desired, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and distribute evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the top turns golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The homemade cheese sauce comes together in minutes and tastes infinitely better than anything from a box
  • Sneaking vegetables into pasta means kids actually eat them without negotiations
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Grating cheese from blocks instead of using pre-shredded prevents grainy sauce
  • Add milk gradually to the roux and whisk constantly to avoid lumps
  • Letting the baked dish rest for 5 minutes helps the sauce set slightly
03 -
  • Undercook the pasta slightly since it continues cooking in the oven
  • Room temperature milk prevents the sauce from breaking
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