I’m kinda really bummed that the only picture I have of this amazingly delicious mac and cheese is a grainy cell phone picture. But when a dish makes you want to face plant into a bowl and go nuts, you don’t wait to post it.
Like many people, I love Mac & Cheese, always have. When I discovered just how easy it was to make it homemade instead of using the box, my life was forever changed. I’ve tried new ingredient combos (hello bacon and beer), new cheeses, and loved ’em all. Recently I have started looking for ways to squeeze as many veggies as I could into my favorite dish.
My kids love veggies. Depending on their mood (and which kid we’re talking about), they’d be more likely to pick up a carrot than dig into pizza. But I love the idea of hidden veggies for me. They make the dish more savory and hearty, and you don’t feel so bad devouring a dish full of carbs when you know there are just as many vegetables in it. Or maybe that’s just me.
Yep, the sneaky veggies are for me and not my kids. 😉
This recipe tasted BETTER than any other mac and cheese I’ve had. It had half the cheese and a half a pound of pureed carrots. The carrots actually make it more cheesy looking, similar to the box kind.
And here’s the clincher:
no one knew there were carrots in it until I told them.
Have picky kids or husband or feel bad eating carbs? This recipe is for you.
- 1 lb (16 oz bag) pasta
- 1/2 lb carrots, washed and chopped
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1 1/2 C milk
- 1/2 C cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 C parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/2 T honey
- salt & pepper to taste
- ) In one pot, start cooking carrots.
- ) In another pot, start boiling water for noodles.
- ) Add cooked carrots to a blender and add milk until it reaches a smooth puree.
- ) Cook noodles, set aside.
- ) Melt butter. Add carrot puree, noodles, and cheese.
- ) Stir until well mixed.
- ) Add honey, and salt & pepper to taste.
- ) Watch everyone’s faces, but don’t look suspicious.
We used organic Thomas the Tank Engine noodles from World Market, but I highly recommend using rice noodles to get this gluten free.
Need it to be dairy free? Use almond milk in place of milk, and goat milk cheddar in place of the cheese. Tastes just as good.
Alexa says
Do you think this is freezable? Would love to have ready to go for the little one. Thank you
Ann Marie Heasley says
What a great idea! I haven’t tried it, but I’d guess so. If you do try it, please let me know.
Lydia says
Hi, how many servings did these ingredients make?
Lisa says
I do a similar one with winter squash… I keep a box of Cascadian Farms frozen winter squash in the freezer for it. YUM!
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Sara Howe says
I’m excited to give this a try!!! I’ve been looking for a great homemade mac & cheese!!! My kids will love it!
Lindsey, the Redhead Baby Mama says
And if you used Whole Wheat pasta, the dish would be totally CLEAN. I’m alllllll over this baby!
Ann Marie says
Woo hoo!!! Do you know if rice pasta is considered clean? I’ve found that I have a hard time digesting the whole wheat pasta. Lemme know how you guys like it! Sweet potato works well too 😉
Tara @ Suburble says
Great idea! I often sneak cauliflower into my mac and cheese (steam it then mash it a bit, and they’re none the wiser), but this is a great idea too! I love carrots!
Ann Marie says
mmmmm. I am definitely going to try that, thank you Tara!
Sarah says
YUM! Sounds great! Can’t wait to try it!
Ann Marie says
thanks Sarah! 🙂
Cherise says
Yum! I have tried cauliflower before but never carrots! Just pinned this!
Ann Marie says
I will have to try cauliflower, thanks for the tip and pin! 🙂
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
Good gravy! If this really tastes like mac & cheese, you are going to become my Earth angel! I’m a carboholic and I just started a low carb eating plan. I’m gonna use a low-carb pasta like Dreamfield’s. OHhhhh, this is gonna be good!
Ann Marie says
not only does it taste like it, it tastes BETTER. I’m telling you, those carrots make it really savory. While normally I’d think putting honey in mac & cheese was weird, it works with the carrots and… oh my gosh. Really wishing we had leftovers. 🙂
I’ve also tried this with the sweet potato puree soup from Trader Joe’s. I liked this one better, but my husband was going nuts over it.
Let me know what you think if you try it! 😉
Roxanne Apodaca says
What brand do you use for cheddar cheese?