Roasted Beet Mac n’ Cheese

Pin It PIN IT!

This creamy roasted beet mac n’ cheese is the perfect alternative to regular mac n’ cheese, and it adds a serving of healthy veggies to a normally decadent dish!

beet mac n cheese.jpg

I know the color of this pasta is absolutely crazy and a little off-putting. I mean, it’s pink. But I promise you, it’s only pink from the beets. No weird food coloring or fake additives. My friend so lovingly called it “pepto” pasta, but I promise, it tastes nothing like pepto. I would know, I’ve been straw-feeding myself that stuff for about 2 days now.

beet macaroni and cheese.jpg

I don’t know what happened, but I’ve had a horrible bug since yesterday. I’m praying it’s a 24 hour thing because I don’t have time to be bed-ridden. I’ve got a bunch of work to do today and we’re going to Charleston this weekend. I refuse to be sick in a place where the temperatures are above 75 degrees, there’s a beach and ready access to a boat. Plus there’s shrimp n’ grits to eat, gin to drink and Lily Pulitzer to buy.

Creamy-roasted-beet-mac-n-cheese.jpg.jpg

Everytime we go to Charleston, it gets harder and harder to leave. The warm weather, the beautiful architecture, the cobblestone streets and wispy willow trees. I feel like I’m in a Nicholas Sparks movie whenever I walk down King street. I’ve loved the city from my first visit in college. Luckily we visit 3 – 4 times a year, but that’s not enough. We need to move there. I need to have an old Charleston home with a beautiful porch on the side. I need to have a beach that I can drive to in 10 minutes time. I need to walk down the street and see men wearing bow-ties and hear the sweet sound of southern accents. When I close my eyes and think of my happy place, it’s almost always Charleston.

charleston2.jpg

This is why I can not be sick this weekend. So I’m powering through today by skipping any food that has flavor. Mmmmm, toast with seltzer water. Can’t wait! (Runs and cries into a blanket).

Roasted Beet Mac n’ Cheese

fresh beet mac n cheese6.jpg.jpg

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!

Serves about 8. Recipe adapted from Tablespoon.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2/3 pound rotini noodles
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 small-medium size beets
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 3/4 cup low-fat milk
  • 1/4 cup light cream
  • 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup part-skim cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Directions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the beets in a 9 x 13 glass dish and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for about 28 – 30 minutes, or until softened. Let cool slightly. With gloves on, peel the beets and chop into pieces. Place the beets into a food processor and pulse until pureed.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the rotini and cook until al-dente, about 8 minutes. Rinse in cold water and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 2 – 3 minutes. Add flour and cook about 2 minutes. Add the milk and cream and whisk until thickened, about 4 – 6 minutes. Add in salt, pepper and beet puree. Stir to combine. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 314.3
Fat: 12 grams
Carbohydrates: 26.2 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 14.23 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 7

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Posted by Kathryn on
    Monday, April 7th, 2014
    This is so pretty! I love that vivid pink + how you've managed to squeeze something so healthy into my beloved mac and cheese.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      RIGHT? I love the color!
  2. Posted by Liz on
    Monday, April 7th, 2014
    Fingers crossed for a quick recovery! We honeymooned in Charleston...one of my favorite spots, too!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
      Right? It's the best!!
  3. Posted by Liz @ The Lemon Bowl on
    Monday, April 7th, 2014
    I almost made mac and cheese with my leftover beets!! You complete me.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
      TWINS!!!
  4. Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
    This makes me giggle! I wonder if I could get the guys to eat pink mac & cheese? :) I hope you feel better so you can enjoy Charleston!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
      I know it makes me laugh too!
  5. Posted by lesley kotze on
    Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
    really interesting recipes, thanks.. what is the meaning of 'pepto' please?