Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

This creamy orange mac and cheese gets its color and extra nutrition from blended sweet potato and kids have absolutely no idea. ♡

You cook the sweet potato until soft, blend it into the cheese sauce, and it becomes this gorgeous creamy orange that looks just like classic mac. The sweet potato actually makes the sauce silkier and adds a tiny hint of natural sweetness that kids love without knowing why.

This is a one-pot dinner that takes 25 minutes and pleases even the pickiest eater at the table. Let’s make it together.

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of black pepper

Optional add-ins:

• Breadcrumb topping for baking
• Broccoli florets
• Diced ham
• Extra cheese on top

How to Make Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

1. Boil. Cook the cubed sweet potato in salted boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes until fork-tender. In a separate pot, cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain both.
2. Blend. Add the cooked sweet potato, milk, butter, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy with no lumps.
3. Melt. Pour the sweet potato sauce back into the pot over low heat. Add the shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until each batch melts completely into the sauce.
4. Combine. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece of pasta is coated in that creamy orange goodness.
5. Serve. Spoon into bowls and top with a sprinkle of extra cheese or paprika. For a baked version, transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and broil for 3 minutes until golden.

Tips

• Cut the sweet potato into small cubes so it cooks faster and blends smoother.
• Use sharp cheddar for the strongest cheese flavor since the sweet potato mellows things out.
• Kids can help stir the cheese into the sauce. They love watching it melt.
• Make it ahead and reheat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce back up.
• Sneak in steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets for extra hidden veggies.

Variations

• Baked Mac: Top with panko breadcrumbs and butter, broil until golden and crunchy on top.
• Broccoli Cheddar: Stir in steamed broccoli florets for a broccoli cheddar mac combo.
• Bacon Mac: Crumble cooked bacon on top for a salty, smoky crunch.
• Pumpkin Version: Swap the sweet potato for canned pumpkin puree in the fall.
• Butternut Squash: Use roasted butternut squash instead of sweet potato for a nuttier flavor.

FAQ

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Ultra creamy mac and cheese with hidden blended sweet potato in the cheese sauce for extra nutrition and color.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 medium sweet potato
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

 

1. Boil. Cook sweet potato and pasta separately until tender, drain both.
2. Blend. Blend sweet potato with milk, butter, and spices until smooth.
3. Melt. Stir cheddar into sauce over low heat until melted.
4. Combine. Toss pasta in sauce until coated.
5. Serve. Top with extra cheese or breadcrumbs.

Notes

Use sharp cheddar for strongest cheese flavor.
Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers.

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