Looking for an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love, that can be made in less than 20 minutes, in one pot, is packed with flavor, and has an added veggie? Then, I’ve got you! This Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese will be your new go-to meal of choice! Great for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults!
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
If there is one thing my kids can agree on, it is that they both LOVE mac and cheese. I mean, who can blame them? It’s delicious! And I have absolutely no mom shame admitting that.
And while we do opt for the boxed version quite frequently (maybe a little too often), this version takes just as much time to make, but it’s leaps and bounds more creamy, cheesy, and delicious than its boxed counterpart. Plus, we get to add in one or two veggies to the mix! Which means you can check the I’m a good parent box for the day.
We start by boiling the pasta (you know the drill) and then adding in some frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking to heat those up. Your kid doesn’t like peas? No problem, you can skip them or add in:
🥦 broccoli – a classic choice
🤍 cauliflower – my kids love it, so there is that
🫛 edamame – one of my personal faves
Meanwhile, you are going to steam a sweet potato or frozen sweet potato chunks until tender. Once warm, you add them to a blender, along with a few simple spices, and blend until smooth. Once the pasta is done cooking, add some butter to the same pot you cooked the pasta in, and add in the sweet potato mixture and some cheese. Whisk that until smooth. Add in the pasta. And you are done!
It’s an easy weeknight meal that comes together in less than 20 minutes, stores well for leftovers, and is even freezer-friendly! You’ll wonder how on earth you made it through your childhood without this twist on a classic comfort food.
Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese Video
Ingredients
Make sure to read the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions!
- Pasta: traditional mac and cheese types that are smaller in size work well here, such as rotini, elbow, penne or farfalle. Feel free to sub chickpea, lentil, or your favorite gluten-free variety!
- Sweet Potatoes: you can use fresh, canned or frozen
- Cheddar Cheese: shredding your own works best, but if you’re crunched for time you can also use pre-shredded.
- Milk: whole milk is great for added creaminess, but 2% or any plain/regular flavored plant-based milk works well too.
- Butter: adds to the creamy texture, can also use any plant-based butter.
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
Need Even More Dinner Ideas? I’ve got your family covered with amazing family-friendly dinner recipes in my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
Let’s Get Cooking
Variations
You can make this sweet potato mac and cheese as is or try adding some of these fun variations…
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Cooked chicken
- Bacon
- Shelled Edamame
- A handful of mozzarella, parmesan, gruyère, fontina, smoked gouda, or pepper jack cheese
- A couple of tablespoons of cream cheese
- Top with green onions or crispy panko breadcrumbs
Recipe Tips
- Shredding your own cheese is preferred, as it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Feel free to use sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor more similar to traditional mac and cheese or go with a mild cheddar for a softer flavor.
- To make meal prep even quicker, you can go with canned sweet potato puree. Mix it right into the cooked pasta, along with the spices and milk.
- For older toddlers and kids, set out a few different topping choices that they can sprinkle over their bowl, such as bacon crumbles, everything bagel seasoning, panko breadcrumbs, or grated parmesan cheese.
- To serve to babies under one, you can spoon a portion of the cooked pasta into your baby’s bowl and then top it with a small amount of the sweet potato cheese sauce or the sweet potato sauce before you add in the cheese.
Easy Cheesy Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese for Kids
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta
- 1 cup sweet potato (roughly 2 small sweet potatoes), see notes below
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 oz or 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box. If adding peas (optional), when you have 2 minutes left on your timer, add in the peas. Drain pasta and peas.
- Meanwhile, poke a sweet potato with a fork and microwave for 5-7 minutes. Let cool slightly and then remove the sweet potato skin, adding the sweet potato to a blender. Add in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and milk and puree for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
- In the same pot, over medium-low heat, add the butter and let melt. Add in sweet potato puree and stir.
- Add in the cheese and stir until melted.
- Add in the pasta and stir until well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add in some extra milk a few tablespoons at a time.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
The post Easy Cheesy Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese for Kids appeared first on Baby Foode.