Recipe for the sweet potato macaroni and cheese

A special sweet potato macaroni and cheese recipe

Adding the sweet potato to a macaroni and cheese recipe gives it an orange color and a soft, healthy flavor to this celebrated homemade dish. With some added vegetables and covered in breadcrumbs, this macaroni and cheese casserole has all the ingredients to become a fancy weeknights side dish; and a kid's favorite, by definition.

Ingredients for four guests:

* 1 small sweet potato (about 8 oz), peeled and diced
* 1 1/2 cup whole wheat macaroni elbows
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose enriched flour
* 1 and 3/4 cup low-fat milk
* 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1/2 cup peas, corn or frozen diced carrots

Procedure:

Step 1-2: Cook the sweet potato and macaroni

1) Place sweet potato in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on high for four to six minutes or until the potato is very tender. Drain and mash with potato masher until smooth; set aside.

2) Meanwhile, in a pot with boiling water, cook the macaroni for about eight minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain well, discard water and return to pot.

Step 3: Making the cheese sauce

3) In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and add flour, stirring. Cook and stir for one minute or until well combined; slowly add milk, whisking, and cook, whisking occasionally, until it starts to boil. Add cheese and mustard to the sauce, whisking until smooth. Add mashed sweet potato and vegetables, stirring gently. Pour the sauce in the pot with the macaroni, mix thoroughly.

Step 4: Decorate the macaroni and cheese, and bake!

4) In small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the melted butter. 5) Pour the macaroni with cheese mixture into a macaroni glass pan (8 inch) and sprinkle with the topping of breadcrumbs. Bake at 375 ˚F for about 15 minutes or until the top gets golden brown and starts to bubble.

Serve your macaroni and cheese with sweet potato!