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Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese_square
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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 Time40 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Keyword: baked pasta, family friendly, gluten free adaptable, sweet potato recipe, vegetarian
Servings: 8
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $10.00

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 9x13 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