This healthy mac and cheese is rich, cheesy and delicious, yet its packed with hidden veggies that’ll give it an extra nutritional kick and make it a well-balanced meal. Its the ultimate comfort food that both adults and kids will find super satisfying and delicious!
There’s nothing like a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. But one that’s also healthy at the same time? That’s the stuff dreams are made of, food dreams that is…
Look no further, this mac and cheese recipe will not only be healthy but just as decadent! You might just lick the plate after like what my daughter did, lol.
In this recipe there’s 1 and 1/2 cups of hidden parsnips! Simply steam and puree them with milk and they become part of the sauce. Parsnips are the perfect vegetable for hiding in mac and cheese. First of all, the colour is creamy white so it blends so well with any type of cheese without anyone noticing. Secondly, parsnips are very mildly sweet and nutty, a great accompaniment to the rich cheesiness of mac and cheese.
Parsnips are incredibly good for you:
- Excellent source of vitamin C, K, magnesium and folate
- Just one cup has 25% of the daily recommended intake of immune boosting vitamin C
- High in fiber
- Just one cup has 6.5 grams of fiber
- Promotes digestive health
- Help in weight management by feeling fuller longer
- Full of antioxidants
More cooking tips for making mac and cheese healthier:
- Mince veggies you want to hide: My kids dislike mushrooms, so in this recipe, I minced them and hide them in the sauce. If there’s any veggies your kids don’t like, try mincing them before adding it to dishes like baked pastas, chicken nuggets, meat balls or fish sticks.
- Use sharper tasting cheeses: Using sharper tasting cheeses like aged cheddar and parmesan will make the pasta more flavourful while using less. So you save on the calories and fat!
- Cut any meats like sausages into smaller pieces: I wouldn’t consider most sausages to be healthy since a lot of them contain preservatives such as sodium nitrate. But if you can find a nitrate free one that’s made of wholesome ingredients, I think they are ok to have sometimes. In this recipe, I cut the sausages into very small pieces. That way you don’t have to use as much and you get that savoury, salty flavour in every bite.
- Use whole wheat pasta: whole wheat pasta has more fiber and the firmer texture is not as noticeable when you use it in baked pastas.
Give this healthy mac and cheese with parsnips a try! With protein, whole grains and veggies, you have a well-balanced meal in just one dish!
For more pasta recipes with hidden veg, check out:
- Healthy mac and cheese with hidden zucchini and cauliflower
- Tuna noodle casserole with hidden cauliflower
