Mega Veg Mac 'N' Cheese
3 min read
This hidden-veg macaroni is an extra-special version of the Parr's family dinner in The Incredibles.
Preparation Time: 30 Minutes
Cooking Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 300g macaroni
- 100g broccoli florets
- 100g cauliflower florets
- 3 large carrots, halved lengthwise and thinned
- 2 celery sticks, sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 400ml milk
- 200ml vegetable stock
- 250g mature cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- In a large saucepan, cook macaroni according to package instructions, adding broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and celery during the last 6 minutes of cooking. Once the veg is cooked, remove it from the macaroni and blend them in a food processor, and put them to one side to mix them through the finished cheese sauce. This is a great way of sneaking in some hidden vegetables!
- Drain the macaroni and transfer to a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat and sauté the onion until tender. Stir in the flour until blended into a paste. Gradually, stir in the milk and broth, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes, and then remove from the heat and stir in cheese, mustard, salt and pepper, and your blended vegetables.
- Add the sauce to the macaroni, stirring to coat. Sprinkle the dish with paprika and bake, uncovered, until heated through and the top is golden brown - about 15-20 minutes.
