Roasted Veggie Mac & Cheese (Printable)

Creamy three-cheese pasta loaded with caramelized roasted vegetables. A comforting, easy vegetarian main dish ready in under an hour.

# What You 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 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 2 cups whole milk
13 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
16 - 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
17 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

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 baking sheet.
02 - Roast vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
03 - Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
04 - For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in mustard powder, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper.
07 - Add cooked macaroni and roasted vegetables to the sauce. Stir until well combined and heated through.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted vegetables add a sweet, smoky depth that makes boxed mac and cheese feel like a distant memory.
  • It comes together in less than an hour, which means you can have comfort food on a weeknight without the guilt or the wait.
  • You get to sneak vegetables into a dish that feels indulgent, so everyone wins.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of spreading the vegetables in a single layer, crowding them on the pan will make them steam instead of roast, and you'll miss out on all that caramelized sweetness.
  • Whisk the milk into the roux gradually and constantly, or you'll end up with a lumpy sauce that no amount of stirring can fix later.
  • Add the cheese on low heat only, high heat can make the proteins seize up and turn your smooth sauce grainy.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, the anti caking agents in bagged cheese can make your sauce grainy instead of smooth.
  • Salt your pasta water generously, it should taste like the sea, because this is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool for a minute before stirring them into the sauce so they don't break apart and turn mushy.
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