Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

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If there’s anything that’s going to make mac and cheese more comforting it’s adding sweet potato to the cheese sauce. This is a comforting baked pasta recipe perfect for a winter dinner!

Hello beautiful cheesy pasta goodness, I was definitely 100% in need of you this time of year 😍

Click here to pin this sweet potato mac and cheese for later!

I love a baked pasta. It’s always amazing to have a big dish of pasta baking in the oven, filling the house with gorgeous smells and getting all gooey and crispy round the edges.

In winter I have a few go tos including this one pot cheese and tomato pasta bake and of course a baked mac and cheese. 

This year I’ve been making a new version of mac and cheese with sweet potato stirred into the sauce and it is the most indulgent and comforting recipe. 

The salty cheese and sweet potato is one of the best combinations.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Ingredients:

• Sweet Potatoes: Peeled and chopped then quickly cooked until you can mash them to add to the sauce
• Macaroni: If you prefer a different shape of pasta then go ahead and use that instead
• Butter, Flour and Milk: To kick off that creamy sauce
• Dijon Mustard: I love adding a little mustard to cheese sauce, it gives it that little kick which is so yum
• Gouda and Cheddar: Two amazing melty cheeses that work perfectly with the sweet potato in this mac and cheese

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Instructions:

1. Cook the sweet potato: Heat the oven. Boil the sweet potato for 10 minutes until soft then mash with a fork. Cook the pasta.
2. Make the sauce: Melt the butter and add the flour, whisk together then slowly add the milk and continue to whisk until thickened. Add mustard.
3. Make the mac and cheese: Mix the cooked pasta with the sweet potato, gouda, cheddar and sauce. Tip into a baking dish and cook for half an hour.

Equipment you need to make this recipe…

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Variations:

• Use different cheeses: Add whatever you favourite cheese is, most would work pretty well in this mac and cheese although I do prefer something with a bit more flavour
• Switch the sweet potato for butternut squash: I think this would work really well if you prefer it
• Add more vegetables: If you want to up the veg content a bit you could stir some spinach through or add some cooked broccoli

This sweet potato mac and cheese would be amazing served up at a family gathering over this festive season. It’s so super comforting and will have everyone coming back for seconds.

It’s also a wonderful way of trying something a bit different while sticking to your comfort food classics.

Expert tips for making sweet potato mac and cheese:

• Make ahead: You can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply follow the instructions up until putting the pasta mixture into the baking dish then leave to cool, cover and put in the fridge. When ready to eat simply continue with the instructions to bake and serve
• Gluten free: In order to make this recipe gluten free simply use your favourite brand of gluten free pasta and gluten free flour

Want more? Try these other pasta recipes!

• Creamy Penne with Roasted Cauliflower
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Thyme
• Eggplant and Mushroom Rotini
• 15 Minute Salmon Pasta with Broccoli
• Sweet and Spicy Sausage Lasagna
• One Pot Pasta with Chicken, Spinach & Mushrooms

WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVER INGREDIENTS YOU’VE GOT FROM MAKING THIS SWEET POTATO MAC AND CHEESE?

If you’re anything like me then you’re always looking for ways to save money and avoid food waste so I want to make sure you’ve get plenty of ideas on how to use up any ingredients that are leftover from my recipes!

Vegetarian Toad in the Hole with Red Onion Gravy

Dijon mustard helps to add extra flavour to this classic comfort food recipe

Rich Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta

Stir leftover cheddar through this creamy polenta

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

If there's anything that's going to make mac and cheese more comforting it's adding sweet potato to the cheese sauce. This is a comforting baked pasta recipe perfect for a winter dinner!

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 443kcal

Author: Amy Fulwood

Ingredients

• 2 Sweet Potatoes peeled and chopped
• 300 g Macaroni
• 4 tbsp Butter
• 3 tbsp Plain Flour
• 500 ml Milk
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• 50 g Gouda
• 100 g Cheddar

UK Measures - US Measures

Instructions

• Heat the oven to 220°C/410°F. Bring a pot of water to the boil and add the sweet potato, cook for 10 minutes then drain and add to a bowl. Mash with a fork.
• Cook the pasta according to package instructions. While that's happening melt the butter in another saucepan and add the flour, whisk together to create a paste then slowly add the milk and continue to whisk until smooth and thickened. Add the mustard.
• Reserve a little pasta water then drain the pasta and add it to the sweet potato with the gouda, cheddar and white sauce. Stir together, adding a little pasta water if needed. Tip pasta mixture into a baking dish and cook for half an hour.

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 443 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Cholesterol 54mg18%

Sodium 314mg13%

Potassium 400mg11%

Carbohydrates 53g18%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 16g32%

Vitamin A 6685IU134%

Vitamin C 1.2mg1%

Calcium 304mg30%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.

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