Go Back

cheesy carrot macaroni

A delightful twist on a classic comfort food, this cheesy carrot macaroni combines creamy cheese sauce with the natural sweetness of carrots, making it a delicious and family-friendly meal. It's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 16 ounces Elbow Macaroni cooked according to package directions
  • 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter
  • 0.25 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 3 cups Milk whole or 2%
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 1.5 cups Cooked Carrots pureed (about 3-4 medium carrots)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 0.25 teaspoon Dry Mustard

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  5. Add the pureed carrots, salt, black pepper, and dry mustard to the cheese sauce. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce has a uniform orange color.
  6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheesy carrot sauce. Stir gently to ensure all the macaroni is evenly coated.
  7. Serve the cheesy carrot macaroni immediately as a delicious main course or a comforting side dish. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For an extra boost of flavor, you can roast the carrots before pureeing them. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.