Sweetpotato & Sage Mac 'n Cheese

Created by a registered dietitian for NCSP Recipe Contest with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Recipe

Servings 6
Calories 416 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds 3 medium sweetpotatoes peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
  • Salt
  • 1 pound whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 to 1/4 optional teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup butter for vegan version, use Earth Balance
  • 10 to 12 large fresh sage leaves thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the sweetpotatoes and return to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well and transfer to a blender.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pasta pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta following package instructions. Drain well, return to saucepan, and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together soy milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, Dijon mustard, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and black pepper. In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add half of the sage (reserve the remaining sliced sage leave and all of the garlic; cook just until they are aromatic and begin to brown. Whisk in the soy milk mixture.
  • Reduce heat to medium low and cook until thick. Add the sauce and lemon juice to the sweet potatoes in the blender and blend until thick and smooth.
  • Toss with the cooked pasta, reheat gently if necessary; taste and add salt &pepper if desired. Serve topped with the reserved sliced sage.

Notes

Number of servings (yield):  6 servings (about 1 ½ cups)*The nutritional analysis was done using whole wheat pasta. 
Note: Ground pepper was used when calculating nutrition label.
Nutrition Facts
Sweetpotato & Sage Mac 'n Cheese
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
416
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
1
mg
0
%
Sodium
 
140
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
722
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
 
86
g
29
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
17
g
34
%
Vitamin A
 
16268
IU
325
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
157
mg
16
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
Net Carbohydrates
 
81
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 17gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 722mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 16268IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 157mgIron: 4mgNet Carbohydrates: 81g