Roasted Veggie Mac & Cheese (Printable)

Creamy pasta loaded with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and tomatoes in a rich three-cheese sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Roasted Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 zucchini, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup broccoli florets
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 2 cups whole milk
13 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
16 - 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
17 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
02 - Roast vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
03 - Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
04 - For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in mustard powder, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper.
07 - Add cooked macaroni and roasted vegetables to the sauce. Stir until well combined and heated through.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It sneaks a full sheet pan of vegetables into a dish that feels like pure comfort with no complaints from picky eaters.
  • The roasted veggies get sweet and caramelized, adding little pockets of flavor that make every bite different.
  • You can make the cheese sauce while the oven does the hard work, so nothing feels rushed or stressful.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded together.
02 -
  • Do not skip stirring the vegetables halfway through roasting or the bottoms will char while the tops stay pale.
  • Make sure your heat is low when you add the cheese or it can break and turn grainy instead of smooth.
  • If your sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of milk or even some pasta water to bring it back to life.
  • Always shred your own cheese because pre shredded kinds have coatings that can make your sauce gritty.
03 -
  • Use a whisk when adding the milk to the roux and keep whisking until it thickens so you never end up with lumps.
  • Roast your vegetables on the highest oven rack for the best caramelization and do not crowd the pan.
  • Taste your cheese sauce before adding the pasta because it is much easier to adjust seasoning when the sauce is on its own.
  • If you want extra richness, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese along with the other cheeses.
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