Description
Quick and comforting one pot veggie mac and cheese delivers creamy comfort without complex cooking steps. Home cooks can easily prepare this nutritious meal with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
- 1 cup (236 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (118 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp butter (or olive oil, for creaminess)
- 2 cups (473 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup (236 ml) milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
- 1 cup (236 ml) broccoli florets, chopped
- ½ cup (118 ml) carrots, shredded or finely diced
- ½ cup (118 ml) zucchini, shredded (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Liquid Base Creation: Merge macaroni, vegetable broth, and milk in a large pot, establishing a flavorful cooking medium for pasta and vegetables over medium heat.
- Vegetable Integration: Introduce broccoli florets, diced carrots, and sliced zucchini into the pot, distributing them evenly throughout the liquid while stirring periodically to promote uniform cooking.
- Cooking Progression: Monitor the mixture for pasta reaching al dente texture and liquid absorption, typically occurring within 8-10 minutes, with vegetables simultaneously transforming into tender morsels.
- Cheese Transformation: Reduce heat to low, then sprinkle shredded cheddar and Parmesan, incorporating softened butter, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to develop a luxurious, velvety sauce.
- Final Preparation: Continuously whisk ingredients to ensure smooth cheese melting, creating a cohesive coating for pasta and vegetables, then remove from heat and let rest momentarily to enhance sauce consistency.
- Serving Presentation: Plate the nutrient-rich, one-pot mac and cheese immediately, showcasing a harmonious blend of pasta, vibrant vegetables, and creamy cheese that promises both comfort and nutrition.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Vegetables: Select crisp, vibrant vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and zucchini to ensure maximum nutritional value and enhance the dish’s overall flavor profile.
- Control Liquid Absorption: Stir frequently and monitor liquid levels to prevent pasta from becoming mushy or sticking to the pot bottom, maintaining perfect al dente texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent scorching, creating a smooth, creamy sauce that coats pasta evenly without breaking or becoming grainy.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap dairy cheese for nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese alternatives to make the recipe vegan-friendly, and use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-safe version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg