Confetti Mac and Cheese is a veggified twist on the classic! This tasty One-Pot Mac and Cheese is blanketed with a deliciously easy cheesy sauce and loaded with veggies!
Recipe by Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons on December 20, 2012
Prep time: PT15M
Cook time: PT15M
Total time: PT30M
Rating
5 stars (30 reviews)
Keywords
Confetti Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
1 cup cooked/leftover veggies ((or more!))
1.5 cups water
1 cup milk ((2% or whole only))
8 oz mini shell pasta or regular elbow macaroni
4 oz Deli-counter American cheese ((this helps create the ultimate sauce))
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper or sweet paprika
4 oz sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese ((grated from the block))
salt and pepper (to taste)
Categories
Main Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
American
Steps
Cook or re-heat your veggies. This is a fabulous opportunity to raid the fridge and freezer for leftovers. Peas, carrots, broccoli, spinach, squash, and anything else you have on hand will work marvelously! You can steam, roast, saute, or even microwave the veggies - whichever you prefer!
Freshly grate cheddar cheese off the block and chop/grate deli american cheese. Block American cheese purchased form the Deli counter works best here because of it's high milk content. Freshly grated cheese is needed here because pre-shredded does not work due to additives.
Measure out all remaining ingredients for ease/efficiency.
Bring water and milk to a boil in a medium saucepan or pot set to HIGH heat.
Stir in mini shell or elbow macaroni and a teeny pinch of salt. Reduce heat to a MEDIUM-LOW active simmer. Use a metal whisk to stir often to prevent sticking.
Cook until macaroni reaches desired tenderness, approx. 7-9 minutes.
Add American cheese, dijon mustard, cayenne, and garlic powder. Whisk constantly for one minute until the cheese has melted into a luscious sauce.
Remove pot from heat.
Whisk in grated cheddar cheese slowly, working in 2-3 batches until completely melted. Cover with the pot's lid and allow to sit and thicken for 5 minutes.
Add any additonal salt/pepper/spices to taste if needed. Basically let your taste buds be your guide. If anything it's an excuse to shove a few spoonfuls in you mouth while you get the plates ready.
Stir in cooked veggies and enjoy!
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 485 kcal
Carbohydrates: 53 g
Protein: 23 g
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Cholesterol: 61 mg
Sodium: 712 mg
Sugar: 5 g
Reviews
Chelsea on 2020-03-08 (5 stars): I had this same thought as I was checking the ingredients for my grocery list!! Can you send the original recipe to me, too, please? We love it in our house!!
Bibi Martinez on 2018-04-16 (5 stars): With my first daughter, I was at my wits end with trying to successfully get my toddler to eat a meal with veggies. Nothing would work and many nights food would be flung across the kitchen floor... toddler crying... mommy crying... I was on a mission to get my toddler eating veggies. I came across this recipe, and bam! Not only did my toddler eat every single bite, but she still asks me to make this meal for her!! She’s now 7, and eats her veggies like a boss! Thanks @ Peas and Crayons, your blog has been my godsend:)
AzGrannie3 on 2014-04-04 (5 stars): I tried this tonight...looked really good. I used the small shells and had to fill in with elbow macaroni to have enough. I used Gruyere cheese, Colby jack, Parmesan and even a little mixture of pizza cheese...whatever I had left over. At first it was kinda pungent so I added more milk and topped it with cheddar and popped it in the oven for about 20 min. Came out good this time. It took the pasta a long time to get done, so next time, I'll parboil it first. I used the frozen Mexican mixture of veggies with Broccoli, corn, cauliflower, and peppers. I thought it was good and it was the concept I was interested in because it was mac and cheese with a twist!
Janelle on 2014-01-18 (5 stars): Just made this and it was delicious!! I have never made homemade mac and cheese before and it is a keeper! I used quinoa shells and it turned out great. Thank you!!
