Mac and Cheese Muffins with Hidden Veggies: Macaroni and Cheese is baked with hidden vegetables for a healthy and tasty muffin that is perfect for packing lunchboxes and getting kids to eat healthier.
My little girl loves her Mac and Cheese. Okay, obsessed is more like it. She would eat Homemade One Bowl Mac and Cheese every single day if I let her and would probably NEVER get sick of it.
Can you blame her? How can pasta and cheese be a bad thing?
In fact, she often begs me to pack a thermos of mac and cheese for her for school. Whenever I do so, I am like a superhero in her eyes.
But after I played around I suddenly went from superhero to superstar (and in her book that is WAY cooler!!), when I created her Mac and Cheese Muffins!
Mac and Cheese Muffins
I LOVE muffins, like Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins, to pack for an easy, healthy lunch option. So if I could turn mac and cheese into a healthy lunch muffin–both my daughter and myself would be happy!
Guess what?! Macaroni and Cheese muffins not only worked–they knocked it out of the park!!
I have to admit I was a bit nervous to serve them up to my Mac and Cheese connoisseur–but she LOVED them!!! In fact my son and husband who could take or leave Mac and Cheese, raved about the muffins. In fact, they all 3 request these muffins often in their lunches. What more could I ask for? A simple lunch item that is backed with hidden nutrition and devoured every single time!
How to Make Macaroni and Cheese Muffins
Macaroni and cheese muffins are not only easy, but with the addition of pumpkin puree, they are also a great way to get in veggies in your kids. Just like my Bean Burritos and Veggie Tostadas, pumpkin puree blends perfectly into this recipe. I believe in telling my kids that veggies are in their food, but your secret is safe with me!!
Mac and Cheese Muffins with Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Make my one pot mac and let cool slightly.
- Mix in one egg and pumpkin puree.
- Scoop into muffin liners.
- Bake.
Mac and Cheese Muffins with Boxed Macaroni and Cheese
For a short cut, use your favorite boxed macaroni and cheese. I suggest an organic version so that it is made with no artificial colors or preservatives.
- Prepare boxed mac and cheese according to package directions.
- Mix in one egg and pumpkin puree.
- Scoop into muffin liners.
- Bake.
Easy, peasy and delicious!
How to Freeze Mac and Cheese Muffins
These easy macaroni and cheese muffins freezer perfectly. Making them the perfect thing to meal prep for school lunches or for toddler snack time.
To Freeze these muffins:
- Allow muffins to cool completely.
- Place on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1 hour)
- Place individually frozen muffins into a freezer bag.
- Store in freezer for up to 3 months.
- Grab a couple muffins from the freezer in the morning and pack in lunch–the muffins will defrost by lunch time. OR heat individually in microwave for 1-2 minutes.
A Few Notes on Easy Mac and Cheese Muffins
- Because pumpkin puree is orange, I suggest using traditional style boxed mac and cheese, so that the pumpkin will blend in better to the orange pasta. Meaning, white mac and cheese may not hide the pumpkin well!
- I do use white cheddar in my homemade macaroni and cheese, but my kids know the pumpkin is in the muffins and they don’t have any issues. The muffins are just a lighter orange in color.
- I love to pack these Mac and Cheese Muffins with some fresh fruit, fresh veggies or this 5 Minute Lunch Salad from Baker Mama.
More Lunch Box Recipes
- Salad Kabobs
- Turkey Club Wrap
- 2 Ingredient Homemade Gogurts
- DIY Butterfly Snack Bags
- Easy Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
Mac and Cheese Muffin Recipe
Mac and Cheese Muffins with Hidden Veggies
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Mac and Cheese
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin pan or line with silicone muffin liners.
- Prepare homemade OR boxed macaroni and cheese per directions.
- Allow pasta to cool slightly and then add in egg and pumpkin and stir to combine will.
- Scoop into prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until muffins set. Cool before storing to pack in lunches.
TO MAKE MINI MAC AND CHEESE MUFFINS YOU MAY NEED
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Kristen Chidsey
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Such a fun kid friendly recipe mine love!!
YAY Justine! So glad you kids enjoy!
This is a fun twits on mac & cheese. Our family always loves to add peas to our dish.
My kids love peas–but on the side if I added them to the the mac and cheese muffins, they may protest. You have great eaters 😉
When the recipe calls for a “scrambled egg”, do you mean raw and beaten, or actually scrambled as in cooked?
Hi Mel, I need to edit that so it makes clear sense–I mean a raw egg, beaten. Enjoy!
Kristen-
We had an “accident” in our Garden and one of our pumpkins got cracked open. The kids decided they needed to cut it open and check it out. In their dissection they tried a little and decided they liked it!
These will be a perfect addition to our lunch menu!
Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
Michelle, I love that you created a science experiment out of a cracked pumpkin. Having fun with cooking, is the way most kids will try just about anything.
Love the idea of adding pumpkin to mac & cheese. My son is a huge fan as well. I’ve got to try the muffin format as well. Thanks! Found your post on #SaucySaturdays
Yea. So happy you found me. I will have to check out your blog as well. And I hope you give these muffins a try
Kristen,
What a great idea–fun and healthy at the same time.
And being a superstar in your kid’s eyes–priceless.
Thanks!
So true Kirsten, nothing beats being their super-hero!
Kristen – what a BRILLIANT idea these little pumpkin enriched, mac and cheese cupcakes are! My not-so-little girl is obsessed with mac and cheese too and she would be in mac and cheese heaven if I made these for her! So fun too!
They are great for big and little kids for sure (and picky husbands too!)