Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese is a comforting, creamy pasta dish that combines elbow macaroni with a rich cheese sauce and a variety of vegetables like broccoli, peas, carrots, or spinach. It's a popular American variation of the classic mac and cheese, often made as a hearty, one-pot family meal.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the cheese and butter or milk, providing a good source of protein and calcium, with key nutrients like vitamins A and C from the vegetables. A standard serving can range from 400 to 600 calories, depending on the cheese and vegetable ratio.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 250 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 IU |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg |
| Folate | 60 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a beloved comfort food in the U.S., often seen as a kid-friendly way to incorporate vegetables into a meal. Nutritionally, the addition of veggies boosts fiber and micronutrients, making it a more balanced version of the traditional, carb-heavy classic.
