Vegetable-Packed Macaroni Cheese Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Classic macaroni and cheese enriched with hidden vegetables and baked to a golden top, making it a comforting and nutritious meal kids love. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz elbow macaroni for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup grated carrot and 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli florets to the cheese sauce.
  6. Step 6: Combine the cooked macaroni and cheese-vegetable sauce in a baking dish, mixing well.
  7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1/2 cup bread crumbs evenly on top and bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
  8. Step 8: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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