Veggie-Loaded Macaroni & Cheese
This creamy, delectable macaroni and cheese dish is the definition of a comfort food. Plus, each serving includes lean protein, vegetables, healthy complex carbs, and a mondo dose each of calcium and vitamin A.
- 1 butternut squash
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 1/2 cup dry brown rice macaroni (sub any whole grain or legume-based pasta if desired)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 block reduced fat cream cheese (8 ounces)
- 2-3 tablespoons low fat milk
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups diced ham
Place a large pot of water on high heat to boil (include a strainer basket if you have one).
Roughly chop cauliflower into large florets. Carefully peel and cube butternut squash.
You can buy frozen cauliflower and cubed butternut squash at the store to simplify this step!When water is boiling, add butternut and squash and boil until tender when pierced with a fork, about 8-10 minutes.
While vegetables are boiling, shred cheese.
Strain vegetables from boiling water and add macaroni to same water. Cook according to package directions.
This adds flavor and nutrition to the noodles, but to save time, you can cook macaroni in a separate pot at the same time as the vegetables.While macaroni is cooking, place squash and cauliflower in a large casserole dish with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, and seasonings. Using an immersion or stick blender, blend very thoroughly until sauce is smooth and creamy and there are no large pieces of vegetable remaining.
If you do not have an immersion blender, perform this step in a regular blender or a food processor and add to casserole dish when done.When macaroni is done cooking, drain and add noodles and ham to casserole dish with sauce. Stir until well combined.
Serving Size 1 cup
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 378
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14g22%
- Saturated Fat 7g35%
- Cholesterol 50mg17%
- Sodium 608mg26%
- Potassium 707mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 50g17%
- Dietary Fiber 6.4g26%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 17g34%
- Vitamin A 511%
- Vitamin C 68%
- Calcium 20%
- Iron 10%
- Vitamin K 15%
- Folate 17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
- This recipe contains a higher sodium level than may support heart health with certain conditions. To reduce the sodium, try using cooked chicken or chopped Canadian bacon in place of the ham. Balance the meal with a low-sodium accompaniment like fresh fruit or a side salad.
- This dish freezes very well, so you can make it in advance and freeze it. Thaw and pop it in the oven at 325 degrees F (162 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until warmed through before serving.