Garden Vegetable Mac and Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Tender pasta tossed with creamy three-cheese sauce and garden vegetables. A hearty, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling 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 frozen peas. Drain thoroughly 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 smooth roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk while stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until all cheese is melted and sauce achieves a smooth consistency.
06 - Fold drained pasta and vegetables into cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish.
07 - If desired, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and distribute evenly over the top of the mixture.
08 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the surface is golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese sauce impossibly creamy without being heavy
  • Even skeptics somehow forget they are eating three different vegetables
02 -
  • Cold milk creates lumps in your roux that never quite disappear, so let it sit on the counter while you prep everything else
  • Shred your own cheese because pre-shredded varieties are coated with anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
  • Grate your cheese while the milk comes to room temperature to save time and ensure smooth melting
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen it before combining
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