Mac and cheese with a veggie twist
Give mac and cheese a makeover by adding bite-sized vegetables into the creamy sauce. This ooey gooey recipe is sure to be a family favourite.
This recipe has been adapted to include Health Canada’s safe recipe style guide.
322 cal
Serves 4
Prep time
0h 20m
Cook time
0h 20m
Total time
0h 40m
![A pan with cooked mac & cheese and vegetables](https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/images/recipes/cheesemac_getty1179014929_894x614.webp?rev=97aa48bb06ad4468965ab8bb40c7ab9b&mw=414&mh=233&hash=F71C71925E38B1FF02ACB14A4A202A15)
Ingredients
Directions
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Step 1
Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Wash all surfaces and equipment used for food preparation. Gently rinse onion, garlic cloves, carrot, bell pepper, zucchini and fresh thyme under cool running water before preparing these ingredients. -
Step 2
In a pot, bring water to boil. Add macaroni and cook for about 6 minutes or until pasta is tender but firm. Drain well and set aside. -
Step 3
In a large saucepan, heat margarine over medium heat and cook onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add carrot, red pepper and zucchini and cook, stirring for about 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in flour and cook, stirring until flour is absorbed. Slowly pour in milk and stir until smooth. Add thyme. Cook, stirring for about 5 minutes or until starting to bubble. Stir in cheese, mustard and pepper. Remove from heat and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in cooked macaroni until well coated. -
Step 4
Put away any leftovers into the fridge within 2 hours or sooner if they are in a warm location.
Tips
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What kid doesn’t love mac and cheese? Ask your little chef to help grate the cheese using a box grater.
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Make it yours. Personalize this recipe by switching up the cheese.
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Here’s how you can use frozen vegetables in this recipe. Leave out the carrots, red pepper and zucchini and substitute 2 cups (500 mL) diced, mixed frozen vegetables in the sauce.
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Ask your kids to choose what pasta shape they want to use. There are lots to choose from, like penne, scooby doo, shells and wagon wheels.
Nutritional information
Nutritional information (1 of 4)
- Calories
- 322
- Protein
- 20 g
- Sodium
- 334 mg
- Potassium
- 413 mg
- Total fat
- 8 g
- Saturated fat
- 4 g
- Cholesterol
- 19 mg
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
- Sugars
- 10 g
- Added sugars
- 0 g
Developed by Emily Richards, P.H. Ec. © 2014 for Health Canada and The Heart and Stroke Foundation