This family favorite recipe for Macaroni and Cheese is a great way to add more vegetables to your family’s diet – the added carrot puree is unnoticeable and adds a delicious sweet flavor
Hi Friends!
Wondering where I have been over the past two months? Well, I decided to take a little time off from blogging while the blog was getting a new look. Life got a big crazy and I decided it was a perfect time to take a little break. I am refreshed and look forward to hit the ground running with the new blog site!
What do you think about the new look of the blog?! I am so excited to finally join the WordPress world! It was a much-needed transition! Like I should have done it years ago, but I just felt too comfortable with the old blog. I am still learning how to navigate it, but loving all the features and capabilities.
I am excited to share today’s recipe for Carrot Puree Macaroni and Cheese!
Until a few months ago we never made homemade macaroni and cheese in my household. Instead, we were fairly reliant on frozen varieties, but every once in a while would also prepare the box kind (you know the stuff you likely grew up on). A comment by a friend about how another one of her friends served the “processed” macaroni and cheese to her children really got me thinking about what I was serving my family.
I decided it was time to make my own version of macaroni and cheese. I was amazed by how simple it can be to make your own homemade version, especially given you likely already have the needed ingredients on hand. To simplify things I skipped making a sauce and went straight for mixing the shredded cheese, milk, and butter directly into the pasta. And this is where the carrot puree comes in! The carrot puree made it easier to create a smooth creamy macaroni and cheese without all the fuss
In honesty the original intention for adding the carrot puree was NOT to remove the need to make a sauce, but it was a nice added bonus. As you probably suspected the carrot puree is included to increase the vegetable intake of my little one, who just happens to not really like vegetables. I continue to expose him to the colors and textures of vegetables in their natural form, but in the meantime will continue to mix some in dishes here and there.
Enjoy!
Your Family’s Dietitian,
Carrot Puree Macaroni and Cheese
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients (6 servings (3/4 cup serving si)
- 2 cups pasta, uncooked (I used macaroni noodles)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 – 4 oz jar baby food carrots
- salt to taste
Instructions
1. Cook pasta per box instructions
2. Once pasta is cooked drain water
3. Mix in remaining ingredients and serve