Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (2024)

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by Jessica June 27, 2013

I’m being very high maintenance today.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (1)

Yes. I am asking you to roast a pan of vegetables. And THEN make an entire dish of mac and cheese.

Too much?

But it’s MAC AND CHEESE! Won’t you do anything for mac and cheese? Just me?

See, I really don’t take issue with such things, probably because I will forever prefer my vegetables in a bath of cheese sauce over some simple salt and pepper.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (2)

Here’s the deal: if you’re going to ask me if it is really imperative that you roast the veggies? The answer is yes. Heck, grill them if you want. Roast them ahead of time. Just get that flavor. This dish was inspired by a frittata with queso that I had at the aviary brunch a few weeks ago. I don’t even like fritattas and I can’t stop thinking about it. I mean, we are talking about a fritatta, not only with creamy queso cheese, but also with roasted vegetables like corn. It was to die for. I’m trying to vehemently to recreate that fritatta recipe for the book right now in the last hour, after I finished the recipes months ago. THAT’s how much I loved it.

So now? It’s like I can’t possibly eat something with cheese sauce without roasted veg. I mean, if it was up to me I’d probably only include grilled corn or something. Maybe throw in a little roasted red pepper. But since I love my invisible internet friends and know that most normal people actually eat vegetables and like eating vegetables (how foreign), I added a few more.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (3)

Plus this gave me an excellent excuse to eat a second helping of mac and cheese. As if you even need an excuse.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (4)

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (5)

Yield: 6 to 8

Prep Time: 40 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

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5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

mac and cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

  • In a large bowl, combine corn, peppers, squash and onions with salt and pepper. Whisk together olive oil and vinegar, then add over top and toss to coat. Spread on the baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.

  • When the veggies are almost finished roasting, bring water to a boil and prepare pasta according to directions – shaving 1-2 minutes off of the cooking time.

  • To make the cheese sauce, heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once sizzling, add flour and whisk constantly to create a roux, until golden and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Pour in milk and whisk constantly, stirring until the mixture slightly thickens. Reduce heat to low and add in 6 ounces of the havarti and cheddar and all of the parmesan, along with the minced garlic. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is thick. Taste and season with a bit of salt and pepper if desired. I usually add a pinch of nutmeg.

  • Add cooked pasta and vegetables to a large baking dish, tossing to coat. Pour cheese soup over top and stir to evenly distribute. Cover the top the the remaining havarti and cheddar, then the breadcrumbs. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly on top. Serve with sliced avocado if desired.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

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I appreciate you so much!

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (6)

Avocado optional. (but if you love me you’ll do it.)

posted in: Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian 82 comments

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    82 Comments on “Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese.”

  1. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (8)

    Katie @ Blonde Ambition Reply

    Two things are worth the oven time: roasted veggies and roasted garlic. Tootally acceptable!

  2. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (9)

    Courtney @ BakeMeBetter Reply

    Love the avocado!

  3. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (10)

    Teresa Reply

    Your recipe inspired me. Mac and cheese would have been my first choice but it was a little too high maintenance for me, so instead I made the roast veggies with noodles and some canned tomato sauce and it was most excellent. Thanks for helping me figure out what to do with all the stuff that came in my CSA box!

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  5. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (11)

    Gina Reply

    Looks divine! And I love that your adding veggies and making my favorite comfort food healthy!

  6. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (12)

    Kelly Reply

    WOW that looks delish. And I’m usually a traditionalist when it comes to mac and cheese but my mouth is watering…. man I need to learn how to cook.

  7. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (13)

    katie @ ohshineon Reply

    to die for. eeeeek.

  8. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (14)

    Nessa Reply

    This looks insanely good!

  9. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (15)

    Nutmeg Nanny Reply

    Oh my goodness! This looks incredible :) I have to have this!

  10. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (16)

    Kristi Reply

    I love it when I have all the ingredients for a recipe already. I was wondering how I was going to use up all those veggies before they go bad, and now I know what to do.

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  12. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (17)

    Laura Reply

    Oh my gosh I just made this (sort of!) and it’s fabulous. I used 8 ounces of havarti and bulked up the sauce with a bunch of mashed sweet potato, which is an AMAZING combination. Thank you so much for the idea!!

  13. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (18)

    Laura Reply

    O.M.G. Just had the leftovers tonight. LOOOOOOVEEEE. We still have enough for another night- score! Thanks for sharing!

  14. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (19)

    sara Reply

    We made this last night with a slightly different mix of veggies based on what we had in our CSA. It was SO GOOD. Totally delicious -thanks for an awesome recipe!!

  15. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (20)

    Deb W Reply

    Made this Sunday night for dinner – used gluten free brown rice elbow macaroni instead of shells. Was DELISH – however my sauce didn’t come together. Admittedly, I didn’t use shredded cheese, just chunked it – that may be why. But really delicious.

  16. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (21)

    Lisa Reply

    Just stumbled upon your website and saw this recipe. I took a dish to a cookout last night and everyone raved about it. I’ve been informed that it will need to make a repeat appearance. I added some diced Caribe pepper to give it a little zip – freaking delicious!! Thanks for sharing.

  17. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (22)

    najlepsze seriale online Reply

    natomiast wzięcie, do starczy zajęcia aż larum maszynopisie, opisy

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  20. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (23)

    Meliss Reply

    Oh.my.goodness! Just finished making this and enjoying it for dinner. A bit labor intensive, but so worth it. Thank you for sharing!

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  22. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (24)

    Mels Reply

    question: panko AND other breadcrumbs? just checking.

  23. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (25)

    Emilie Soffe Reply

    I made this over the weekend, and it was amazing!

    I realized halfway through that I didn’t have a cheese grater. Whoops! So i used a vegetable peeler to grate into strips, and luckily it melted and didn’t clump or burn.

    Delicious!

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  28. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (26)

    Claire Reply

    How many servings does this yield?

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  32. Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (27)

    Connie L. Spanjer Reply

    I took this dish to Easter Dinner, and got raves from everyone. I will make this again and again. Great dish for potluck.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Mac + Cheese. (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

How do you keep mac and cheese moist in the oven? ›

Add more cheese

That final layer of cheese on top isn't just for looks; it also helps keep the saucy noodles underneath from drying out during baking. Breadcrumbs also help insulate the noodles, acting as a protective layer while baking that also happens to add a nice little crunch.

How to season bland mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

Why isn t my baked mac and cheese creamy? ›

How do You Keep Macaroni and Cheese Creamy? Don't skimp on the milk or butter as those ingredients help keep the cooked macaroni ultra-rich and creamy. Use full-fat milk for creamiest results. Also, avoid overbaking, as that will dry out your mac and cheese.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Why does my mac and cheese dry out in the oven? ›

But the secret to baked mac and cheese is this crispy top, which hides a creamy, soft bottom. That extra layer of cheese helps hold in the moisture when it bakes in the oven. Just be sure not to bake it too long so the macaroni doesn't dry out! Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

How do you keep mac and cheese creamy after baking? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix to incorprate as much as possible. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream.

How to prep mac and cheese the night before? ›

When the sauce is cooled, add the pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to two days.

What spices jazz up mac and cheese? ›

A few spices: mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika (plus salt and plenty of fresh cracked black pepper!)

How do you add depth of flavor to mac and cheese? ›

Brown the Butter

Browned butter is the secret ingredient to multi-dimensional flavor in both baked goods and savory dishes. It adds richness and depth of flavor to boxed mac and cheese—and all it takes is a few extra minutes on the stovetop.

What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why do people use evaporated milk in mac and cheese? ›

The second big key was to use evaporated milk as the base liquid. Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream in mac and cheese? ›

It is better to use heavy cream for Mac and Cheese instead of milk, or better yet, use evaporated milk which has the thickness of heavy cream without all of the fat! Furthermore, it is more stable than heavy cream so your Macaroni and Cheese is less likely to curdle or separate.

Why add flour to baked mac and cheese? ›

It's a mixture of equal parts flour and butter (equal in weight, not volume). The roux will help thicken our milk and make our sauce creamy.

What are the ingredients in Gordon food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

What recipe is Gordon Ramsay famous for? ›

Top 10: Recipes that made Gordon Ramsay Famous
  • Beef Wellington. gordon ramsay's beef wellington recipe. ...
  • Coq au Vin. gordon ramsay's Coq au Vin recipe. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. gordon ramsay's Beef Stroganoff recipe. ...
  • Chicken Piccata. ...
  • Rack of Lamb. ...
  • Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill. ...
  • Shrimp Scampi. ...
  • Beef and Guinness Stew.

What can I add to mac and cheese to make it tastier? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

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