Roasted Veggie Mac & Cheese (Printable)

Creamy macaroni and cheese loaded with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and tomatoes for added nutrition and flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Roasted Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 zucchini, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup broccoli florets
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 2 cups whole milk
13 - 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 - ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
16 - ½ teaspoon mustard powder
17 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
02 - Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
03 - While vegetables roast, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
04 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Stir in mustard powder and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Add cooked macaroni and roasted vegetables to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined and heated through.
08 - Transfer to serving dishes immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It sneaks nutrition into a dish everyone already craves without changing what makes it irresistible.
  • The roasted vegetables add a sweet, smoky depth that plain mac and cheese never has.
  • You can prep the veggies while the pasta boils, so everything comes together fast.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even richer the next day.
02 -
  • Do not skip stirring the vegetables halfway through roasting or the bottoms will burn while the tops stay pale.
  • Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, which has added starch that makes the sauce grainy.
  • If the sauce feels too thick, whisk in a splash of milk over low heat until it loosens.
  • Season the pasta water generously because unsalted pasta makes the whole dish taste flat.
03 -
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool for a minute before stirring them into the sauce so they do not break apart.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the pasta because it is easier to adjust seasoning when it is still liquid.
  • If you are making this ahead, undercook the pasta by a minute and toss it with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Keep the heat low once the cheese goes in or it will separate and turn oily.
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