This simple kid friendly Zucchini Macaroni and Cheese comes together in no time for a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will adore. This recipe is also perfect as a non sandwich lunchbox idea.
If my kids could eat one meal for the rest of their lives, I am pretty sure they would choose pasta. They adore it. And if there is one pasta dish that is synonymous with childhood it’s macaroni cheese. It’s just so comforting. And you will love this quick and simple healthier take on the classic with this Zucchini Macaroni Cheese.
This recipe truly is a quick one, especially if you are familiar with making béchamel which this recipe – loosely – uses. Now, I am sure the addition of the onion means that this is not a classic béchamel, however it’s close enough. And the reason I add the onion to the butter rather than adding after the béchamel is is to make sure the onion is cooked properly and adds a depth of flavour to the sauce.
Tips for making the béchamel sauce
To get the best result when making the sauce is to add the cream and milk in slowly to ensure the sauce thickens and continue to whisk through the process. If you add too much liquid too quickly the sauce will be too runny. The sauce itself will take around 5-10 minutes to come together.
Serving Suggestions for Zucchini Macaroni and Cheese
We love to have this with a simple garden salad and garlic bread, but you could also add chopped tomatoes to the dish for a more complete one dish meal with no sides. I normally don’t serve in individual ramekins – hello pretty pictures 😉 – but in a larger dish. I do however love the look served individually too.
This is a generous family recipe and we find we always have enough for the kids to have seconds if they want. And more often than not there are leftovers too.
If you are looking for more mains with zucchini why not try my Zucchini Pea Fritters or my Zucchini Pea and Ricotta Slice. If you are looking for other recipes with pasta you may enjoy this delicious Roasted Vegetable and Rocket Salad with Goats Cheese.
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Zucchini Macaroni and Cheese: A Quick and Simple Weeknight Meal
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 generous serves 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Cook Top; Oven Bake
- Cuisine: Western
Description
This simple kid friendly Zucchini Macaroni and Cheese comes together in no time for a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will adore. This recipe is also perfect as a non sandwich lunchbox idea.
Ingredients
- 400g macaroni
- 75g butter
- 3 tbsp plain flour
- 1 small brown onion finely diced
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 150ml cream
- 500ml milk
- 1 1/2 cup cheese plus extra 1/2 cup for topping
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 150g zucchini grated
- salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- Parsley to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190c and lightly grease a large baking dish
- Cook pasta according to the packet instructions in a large pot, making sure to cook al dente and draining the water as soon as it has cooked through.
- Meanwhile make the béchamel by melting the butter over a medium low heat. Add in the diced onion and garlic and cook through until softened. For around 3-4 minutes
- Add in the flour and whisk quickly cooking off for around 1 minute
- Slowly add in the cream and continue to whisk so no lumps form and continue to do this with the milk. This process will take around 5-10 minutes.
- When the sauce has thickened, add in the cheeses, zucchini, mustard and season with salt and pepper and simmer until the cheese has melted, stirring to make sure the mixture does not catch.
- Add the cheese sauce to the drained macaroni and stir through. Transfer to your baking dish and top with the breadcrumbs and cheese.
- Bake for around 10-15 minutes until these cheese has melted on the top and turns slightly golden.
- Cool slightly, sprinkle with parsley if using and serve.
I hope you love this Zucchini Macaroni and Cheese and your families do too! Remember share your goodies with me on social media. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook and I always love to hear from you!
Bernadette x
I would love to know if you (or anyone) has managed to make a diary free version of macaroni cheese? It is one of my childhood favourites and would love it as an easy go-to now (especially with your hidden veg!) but myself and one of the kids are now diary free. Thank you 🙂
You could try oil instead of butter and almond milk instead of the cream and milk and nutritional yeast and a bio cheese? Though I haven’t tested this! Bernadette
I absolutely love this recipe bern. Easy quick and delicious. Plus extras for the lunchbox is win from any angle. Thanks for keeping us mums on top of our game.
Thanks Sharlene! So glad you love this recipe. Bernadette x