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Wholesome Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese

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A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese packed with pureed cauliflower, shredded carrots, zucchini, and spinach to sneak in extra veggies that kids love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300g) cauliflower florets, steamed
  • 1 cup (120g) grated carrots
  • 1 cup (120g) grated zucchini
  • 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach leaves, wilted or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1/2 cup (120g) cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (whole or plant-based like oat or almond)
  • 8 ounces (225g) small pasta shapes (shells or elbows)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A tiny pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs (optional)
  • Olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Steam cauliflower florets until tender, about 7-8 minutes.
  2. Grate carrots and zucchini. Wilt fresh spinach or thaw and drain frozen spinach.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine steamed cauliflower, grated carrots, zucchini, spinach, and cottage cheese. Blend until silky smooth. Add milk if mixture is too thick to loosen it up.
  4. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and save some pasta water if needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, stir the veggie puree with cooked pasta. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
  6. Optional: Pour mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
  7. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Steam veggies until soft for smooth texture. Puree in batches if needed. Use garlic and onion powder for mild flavor kids accept better than fresh garlic. Cook pasta al dente to hold texture. Watch breadcrumbs closely when baking to avoid burning. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: hidden veggies, kids recipes, mac and cheese, healthy kids meals, sneaky nutrition, creamy pasta, vegetable puree

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/wholesome-hidden-veggie-recipes-kids-love-easy-sneaky-nutrition-ideas/