Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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By Jess Smith

4.15

Published Oct 27, 2022Updated Mar 07, 2024

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Roasted sweet potatoes combine with shredded cheddar for a rich, creamy sauce in this Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese. It uses about half the cheese of classic mac and cheese recipes, but I promise you won’t miss it!

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (2)

Cozy season is officially here, and I love everything about it. Give me all the cozy sweaters, warm fires, and warm pasta dinners (including one of my recent favorites, Instant Pot Italian Sausage Pasta). This Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese, with its roasted sweet potatoes, and beautiful warm orange color is made for cooler weather. It’s a bit of a more healthy option than your classic cheesy mac, but no less delicious. And if you need a cool weather side to serve along with it, the fresh green of shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad or Balsamic Brussels Sprouts would be the perfect match. Roasted broccoli is also a great and easy fit. So many vegetables on one warm plate!

Here’s everything you need to know.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (3)

How to Make it

  1. Roast vegetables. Roast sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions until very tender, about 40 minutes at 400°F.
  2. Cook pasta. Follow the directions for whatever pasta you choose. Any type will work!
  3. Make sauce. Blend the roasted vegetables with vegetable broth until smooth.
  4. Fill casserole. Combine pasta, sauce, and cheese. Spread out in a 9×13 baking dish.
  5. Add breadcrumb topping. Combine melted butter, panko, garlic, and chopped sage. Sprinkle it over the pasta to give the dish great crunch.
  6. Bake pasta. Bake the dish, uncovered, until the pasta is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!

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Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (4)

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Onions – Roast all of these vegetables together to give the sauce savory flavor.
  • Dried Pasta – Any type will work. I love how the sauce clings to the rings in Fusili.
  • Cheese – I love the flavor of white, sharp cheddar in this pasta, but any type of shredded cheddar is great.
  • Vegetable Broth – Look for low-sodium to keep the pasta from being too salty. Low-sodium chicken broth works well if you don’t need the dish to be vegetarian.
  • Butter, Panko Breadcrumbs, Garlic, Sage – Combine these to make a buttery, crunchy topping.
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (5)
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (6)

Make it Ahead

You can assemble the entire dish and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before baking.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (7)

Variations

  • Swap in squash – This dish is great with any type of roasted winter squash (I love butternut squash here) in place of the sweet potato.
  • Make it gluten-free – Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and gluten-free breadcrumbs to easily make this dish gluten-free.
  • Make it vegan – You can skip the cheese completely for a vegan sauce or add a couple tablespoons of nutritional yeast for that savory flavor. Use olive oil instead of butter to make the panko topping.
  • Add protein – Add your favorite protein to the dish. Stir drained white beans into the pasta for a vegetarian option. Cooked sausage or bacon are also great non-veg additions.

FREEZE THIS MEAL

If you’re going to freeze this meal, assemble it as directed. Cover the pasta tightly with foil and freeze for up to 6 months. To reheat, thaw in refrigerator for 24- 48 hours before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 400˚ for about 30 minutes, until pasta is bubbling around the edges.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (8)

Printable Freezer Label

Print and attach the label below so cooking instructions are ready when you are!

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Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (9)

More Baked Pasta Dishes

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Broccoli and Cheddar Baked Risotto

Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower

Tuna Noodle Casserole with Crunchy Topping

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Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (18)

4.15 from 41 votes

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe

Roasted sweet potatoes make a rich, creamy sauce for this baked pasta. Sweet potato mac and cheese uses about half the cheese of classic recipes, but you won't miss the cheese. Add buttery breadcrumbs on top for crunch.

Prep: 40 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Equipment

  • 9 x 13 Baking Dish

  • Mixing Bowls

  • Large Saucepan or Stockpot

  • Half Sheet Pan

Ingredients

For Pasta:

  • 1 1/2 pounds Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 medium)
  • 1 cup chopped Onion
  • 1 cup chopped Carrots
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 pound Dried Fusilli Pasta (substitute any small pasta shape)
  • 10 ounces White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped Fresh Sage (substitute 1 teaspoon dried sage)
  • 3 cups Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth (substitute low-sodium chicken broth if you don’t need the dish to be vegetarian)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F / 204°C.

  • Toss the sweet potatoes, onion, and carrots in olive oil and salt. Spread out on a large sheet pan and roast in the oven until tender, turning with a spatula halfway through cooking, 25 to 35 minutes.

  • Once the vegetables are in the oven, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

  • In a blender or food processor, combine the broth with the roasted vegetables. Blend until smooth, adding some water if needed to help everything blend.

  • Stir the sweet potato mixture and cheese into the cooked pasta.

  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or rub it with some olive oil. Spread the pasta out in the dish.

  • Combine the melted butter, panko, garlic, and chopped sage leaves. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the pasta.

  • Bake, uncovered, at 400°F / 204°C, until the pasta is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

  • Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 685mg | Potassium: 543mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15269IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $10.00

Calories: 530

Keyword: baked pasta, family friendly, gluten free adaptable, sweet potato recipe, vegetarian

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Categorized as:
All Recipes, Casseroles, Family-Friendly, Pasta and Noodles, Vegetarian

About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

Read More About Me

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Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Recipe (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

What can I add to homemade mac and cheese to give it more flavor? ›

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

Can I use mayo in mac and cheese instead of milk? ›

If you're really in a pinch, try adding around 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (I highly recommend Duke's or Kewpie) and whisking it in. You may want to add a bit more salt or cheddar cheese or even some parmesan cheese to cover up the distinctive taste of mayonnaise. Don't knock it until you try it!

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.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

How do you keep homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

Why put mustard in mac and cheese? ›

Mustard Powder: The secret ingredient you should always add to your Mac and cheese. The acidity in the mustard helps cut through the fat. You can find it in the spice section of any major grocery store. Otherwise, swap it for 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Dijon or yellow mustard to taste or omit it.

Is cornstarch better than flour for mac and cheese? ›

Kenji illustrates this effect beautifully in his 15-Minute Ultra-Gooey Stovetop Mac and Cheese and Nacho Cheese Sauce. The cornstarch yields a smoother, creamier, more velvety texture than flour or cheese alone.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk? ›

Sour cream or full fat yogurt can be substituted 1:1 for whole milk. Use this substitute in baking quick breads or for adding creaminess to pan sauces. Sour cream works especially well in recipes calling for buttermilk, too and vanilla-flavored yogurt can be used for sweet quick breads and cakes.

What happens if you use water instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Water actually works perfectly well as a milk substitute in mac and cheese. It adds all the liquid you need, though it doesn't have the creaminess or flavor that other substitutes add. However, if you add a little pasta water, instead of plain tap water, to your cheese sauce, you might get better results.

Can I use yogurt instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

While I was cooking the pasta, I noticed a tip listed on the very bottom of the box: If you want a creamier mac and cheese, try replacing the butter and milk with a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt.

How does Gordon Ramsay make mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Why do people put mayo in mac and cheese? ›

The reason mac and cheese with mayo works is because the acid in mayo prevents the dish from ever being too cheesy. Yes, “too cheesy” is a thing, hear us out. Every time you take a bite of your steaming hot mac and cheese, you want to enjoy the delicate mix of flavors.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Just be careful to add the sour cream slowly to get the right texture, and consider taste differences. Sour cream can be a good macaroni and cheese milk substitute, but it will obviously be more sour and perhaps not the most kid-friendly mac and cheese you can make.

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 ...

What is the best cheese according to chefs? ›

A Cheese Expert's Guide to 10 Essential Cheeses to Know and Love
  • Brie de Meaux-Style Brie.
  • Pyrénées Sheep.
  • Comté
  • Clothbound Cheddar.
  • Aged (Goat) Gouda.
  • Bleu d'Auvergne AOC/PDO.
  • Époisses de Bourgogne PDO.
  • Le Chevrot.

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.

Who eats the most mac and cheese in the world? ›

Sure, Americans love their mac and cheese. But not as much as Canadians. In fact, Canadians love macaroni and cheese, and they love it more than anyone else in the world and consume the most macaroni and cheese per capita!

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