Baked Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese with Roasted Cauliflower

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A comforting baked mac and cheese loaded with finely pureed cauliflower and carrot for a creamy, cheesy dish that kids love without noticing the veggies. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, cauliflower florets, carrot, peeled and chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz elbow macaroni, and cook for 7 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, steam 2 cups cauliflower florets and 1 medium peeled, chopped carrot until very tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding 1/4 cup milk to help blend.
3. Step 3: In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and golden, stirring constantly.
4. Step 4: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in the pureed cauliflower and carrot mixture, 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
6. Step 6: Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce thoroughly, then transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1/2 cup breadcrumbs evenly over the top and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.