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Veggified Macaroni and Cheese with Pumpkin, Corn, and Peas + Giveaway (Closed)!

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#spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between my blog and Annie’s Homegrown. This could include Annie’s providing me w/ content, product, access or other forms of payment.

A pumpkin, corn, and pea veggified macaroni and cheese that takes comfort food to a whole new (much healthier) level.

annies mac and cheese 4I love macaroni and cheese just as much as the next person.

While I follow a mostly plant-based diet, I make exceptions from time to time- normally when a craving for eggs or cheese hits.  I don’t know what it is about macaroni and cheese, but for me it is the epitome of homey, comforting food.  Unfortunately, the foods that make me feel like a kid again are often not the healthiest options (macaroni and cheese, pb & js, grilled cheese, etc.).  Lucky for me, I am totally on board with eating these foods in moderation and have found some great healthy alternatives.  So when a craving hits… I run with it!

annies mac and cheese 3I have tried making vegan macaroni and cheese at home in the past, but have yet to find a recipe that I really love (link them in the comments if you have a good one!).  As a result, I generally tend to go for the real deal.  And by “real deal,” I mean boxed mac and cheese.  It turns out that I generally lack much motivation on the days when my comfort food cravings hit… so boxed mac and cheese it is!

Not just any boxed mac and cheese, though.  I like to stick with Annie’s Homegrown brand.  I have eaten other delicious brands in the past, but now that I am a health-conscious adult, I want a boxed mac and cheese that contains real ingredients.  I love that Annie’s macaroni and cheese does not contain artificial ingredients (I can pronounce everything in there), colors, or preservatives.  I also love that their ingredients are non-GMO and many are organic.  Oh, and quite possibly most importantly, their cheese is REAL cheese.  If I am going to eat cheese out of a box then I definitely want it to be cheese.

annies mac and cheese 5Now you know I could not just eat mac and cheese by itself though, right?  I do not call myself the Clean Eating Veggie Girl for nothing!

I used Annie’s boxed mac and cheese as a base and then put my own veggified spin on it.  The more veggies the better, if you ask me.  I imagine this recipe would also be great for the not-so-big fans of veggies, too.  Those darn pesky eaters! <– That totally used to be me 😉

annies mac and cheese 8Veggified Macaroni and Cheese with Pumpkin, Corn, and Peas

Serves 2

Ingredients

6 cups water
1 box Annie’s Homegrown Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
3 TB milk (I used unsweetened plain almond milk)
2 TB canned pumpkin
1 tsp Annie’s Organic Yellow Mustard
2/3 cup cooked frozen peas
1/2 cup cooked frozen corn

Directions

1. Boil 6 cups of water in a medium saucepan.  Once boiling, stir in macaroni pasta.

2. Boil the pasta for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Once the macaroni is cooked to your liking, drain in a collander.  Set aside.

4. Add milk, pumpkin, mustard, and cheese powder into the empty saucepan.  Whisk together over medium-low heat until clump-free.

5. Stir in drained pasta, peas, and corn until well-combined.

6. Serve warm.

annies mac and cheese 7Oh, to feel like a kid again!

annies mac and cheese 9This bowl, however, was much healthier than the macaroni and cheese I ate fifteen years ago.  I guess that makes me a healthy big kid!

annies mac and cheese 6Have you tried adding veggies to your macaroni and cheese?  What is your favorite addition?

If you like what you see with this one, please pin it on Pinterest and share it on Facebook and Twitter with the buttons below!

annies mac and cheeseThis Giveaway is Now Closed

Now as if a big ‘ole bowl of macaroni and cheese wasn’t good enough, Annie’s wants to share the cheesy goodness with one of you!  Annie’s sent me everything above and one lucky winner will receive this fun giveaway package, too!  The giveaway items include:

Three boxes of Annie’s Homegrown Macaroni and Cheese
Annie’s Homegrown Organic Cheddar Squares
Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks (my co-workers and I loved these!)
One coupon for a free Annie’s Naturals condiment
Annie’s t-shirt
Annie’s chino bag
Annie’s spork

To enter, please leave a comment answering the following question:

“Have you ever tried an Annie’s product? What did you think?”

The giveaway will be open until 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, September 19th.  Good luck!

Do you love Annie’s Homegrown products?  Join Team Annie’s here! #TeamAnnies

Share Good Eats
{ 76 comments… add one }
  • Sam @ PancakeWarriors September 15, 2014, 12:55 am
    Wow love the added veggies and pumpkin. Annie's is certainly the best option if you are going boxed Mac and cheese. Around Christmas my cousins and I always have a dinner reminiscent of childhood and a few boxes of Anniss are always devoured. So delish! Thanks for this pumped up recipe!! Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted...Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Cups, Baseball, and the Week Mash UpMy Profile
    • Courtney October 27, 2014, 8:42 pm
      I eat Annie's everything! Granola bars, cheddar bunnies, bunny Graham's, Mac and cheese, and fruit snacks! I NEED that's spork!
  • Kate September 15, 2014, 5:17 am
    We do really like their mac and cheese; who wouldn't love the cute shapes!
  • Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat September 15, 2014, 6:00 am
    I love Annie's products, especially the gluten free bunny cookies! Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted...Preggers by Therafirm ReviewMy Profile
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies September 15, 2014, 6:56 am
    I love Annie's! I actually ate it with the recipe I posted today (with veggies mixed in, naturally). I love that you stirred in pumpkin, that sounds so tasty. Definitely a sucker for their aged cheddar mac. For a vegan mac and cheese, have you tried this recipe? It's less like traditional mac and cheese because it has buffalo sauce and Brussels sprouts, but still has the creamy texture and the taste of cheese. It's Josh's #1 favorite meal (which is saying something considering how much he loves real cheese) http://www.hiddenfruitsandveggies.com/2013/03/11/vegan-buffalo-veggie-mac-and-cheese/ Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Tempeh “Chicken” NuggetsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 15, 2014, 9:19 am
      Thanks Kelly! I will check that out :) I do LOVE buffalo sauce!
  • CARLA September 15, 2014, 7:34 am
    WE LOOOOVE ANNIES and adding the vegggggggies here too. CARLA recently posted...What’s your one book on the shelf?My Profile
  • Robyn R September 15, 2014, 7:38 am
    We love the frozen meal of mac & cheese. I'd love to give your recipe a whirl, too. Robyn R recently posted...9/11 Never ForgetMy Profile
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine September 15, 2014, 7:48 am
    I don't eat dairy, but my mom loves Annie's! I have had their GF mac and cheese years ago though, and was pretty impressed if I do so remember ;)
  • Liz @ I Heart Vegetables September 15, 2014, 7:52 am
    Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish of all time haha. So I'm always down for trying new twists on an old favorite! Looks yummy!
  • emily September 15, 2014, 7:54 am
    I'm a huge fan of annie's mac n cheese! I'm a teacher, and the school lunch program offers it as an option, so when there are leftovers, the teachers get them. The kids love it, too :)
  • Karen D September 15, 2014, 8:01 am
    I have always liked Annie's products and hope nothing changes with the recent news.
  • Lish September 15, 2014, 8:14 am
    Mac and cheese is such a comfort food! I love adding protein and veggies to it!
  • Heidi September 15, 2014, 9:30 am
    Having two little kids it's easy to say we are OBSESSED with Annie's. We love all of their products especially the mac and cheese. I'm quite bummed Costco stopped selling the jumbo packs!
  • Jamie | Jamie's Recipes September 15, 2014, 9:32 am
    I love Annie's. I recently had to remove wheat from my diet and their gluten free Macaroni and Cheese is amazing! I love to add peas, carrots, and corn to my kiddos' mac and cheese. Sometimes I will stir in a pouch of tuna to pump up the protein. They love it! Jamie | Jamie's Recipes recently posted...Cornbread Breakfast MuffinsMy Profile
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul September 15, 2014, 9:50 am
    I have never tried an Annies product!! Crazy, right?! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Weekend Snapshots 9.15My Profile
  • Kim September 15, 2014, 10:08 am
    My whole family loves Annie's mac and cheese. The kids also love the fruit snacks and salty snacks from Annies. Kim recently posted...Fall In OmahaMy Profile
  • Jennifer September 15, 2014, 10:08 am
    Since becoming a vegetarian, my husband (a bone fide carnivore) and I don't agree on much for dinner. What we DO agree on is macaroni and cheese from a box. Annie's is a staple in my pantry and we serve it with steamed broccoli or peas. Super yummy!
  • Liz September 15, 2014, 10:09 am
    I have been eating Annie's products for years! It was the only boxed mac and cheese I would eat, of course the white cheddar type and I love their cheddar bunnies! I would to try their cheddar squares and have the mac and cheese ready for nights I get back to my apartment late and don't want to cook (of course throwing broccoli in)
  • Kelsey September 15, 2014, 10:21 am
    My hubby LOVES the Mac and cheese and I love the bunnies! We are big kids! Haha thanks for the chance to win! Kelsey recently posted...White Cheddar Skinny Pop ReviewMy Profile
  • becca September 15, 2014, 10:38 am
    I LOVE Annie's products - I'm pretty sure theres a box of the bunny mix and mac and cheese in my pantry right now. Which is why I would LOVE to win more products to try out! Thanks fro the opportunity. becca recently posted...Wineglass Marathon Training (Week 14)My Profile
  • Maryann D. September 15, 2014, 10:58 am
    We do use different Annie's products and love them. I like the Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks and my son loves any of the mac and cheese. I do like to add spinach or broccoli to the mac and cheese.
  • paige c September 15, 2014, 11:43 am
    I LOOVE Annie's bunnies the gingersnap and snicker doodle ones are my favorites and my boyfriend loves the fruit snacks
  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health September 15, 2014, 12:07 pm
    Annie's mac n' cheese is my jam! And I love that you healthified it. This definitely looks like my kind of comfort food. #teamannie all the way! And that spork is too cute, haha. :) Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted...Healthy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin MuffinsMy Profile
  • Carmy September 15, 2014, 12:23 pm
    I've never tried Annie's but they look yum! Carmy recently posted...Pick Me Up: Reasons Why I Run!My Profile
  • KRISTIN September 15, 2014, 12:25 pm
    I have tried a lot of Annies products; mac and cheese (love) the bunny crackers (the whole family loves). chicken and shells frozen dinner meal (very good). The salad dressing is amazing too
  • Joanna @Makingmine September 15, 2014, 12:43 pm
    Oh goodness I love me some mac & cheese! Mac & Peas is a must, but I never would have thought of adding pumpkin! Sounds like something to try this fall! I buy Eleanor the Annie's Bunnies - they are a great on-the-go snack Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...weekend snaps: swimming lessonsMy Profile
  • Erinn September 15, 2014, 12:51 pm
    So glad to know I'm not the only grown-up that still loves boxed mac & cheese once in a while. Annie's is my favorite, I make it with veggies for my husband and I all the time. I love that it's something he's perfectly capable of making on his own if I'm busy with college as well because it's impossible to mess up. We like to make it with a little non-dairy milk, organic chicken seasoning, and squash, kale, or peas. Haven't tried it with pumpkin yet but I can see that being a great idea with a little sprinkle of nutmeg. Thanks!
  • Caitlin September 15, 2014, 1:44 pm
    Heck yes I've tried an Annie's product - the white cheddar shells. GLORIOUS!
  • Jackie September 15, 2014, 1:50 pm
    I love Annie's Mac and cheese and honey bunnies!
  • madison September 15, 2014, 1:51 pm
    White cheddar shells are my favorite boxed mac and cheese - liquid gold. The bunny graham crackers are a great sweet treat too. YUMMY
  • Liz September 15, 2014, 2:00 pm
    Annie's rocks! The white cheddar mac is my fave, but I also serve up the gluten free mac and cheese for one of my good friends.
  • Jennifer P September 15, 2014, 2:20 pm
    I've never tried Annie's before, but I'm going to try it now after reading your recipe! It sounds delicious :)
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl September 15, 2014, 5:04 pm
    Love Annie's and I love your addition of pumpkin! Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted...Flourless Pumpkin PancakesMy Profile
  • Kate September 15, 2014, 5:06 pm
    Kraft Mac & Cheese was a staple for me growing up... I am so glad Annie's offers an alternative that isn't chemical laden!
  • Angie Jerde September 15, 2014, 5:22 pm
    I never have tried any of the products but would love to...I only hear fabulous things about Annie's : )
  • Ashley September 15, 2014, 7:14 pm
    Mac and cheese was always my favorite meal growing up! I still love it as pure comfort food. I loved how you jazzed this up with the pumpkin and peas! Happy monday friend! Ashley recently posted...Make-Ahead Veggie Breakfast Quesadillas and A GiveawayMy Profile
  • Karina September 15, 2014, 8:04 pm
    I've actually never tried Amy's before!
  • Alex @ The Zen Kat September 15, 2014, 8:37 pm
    Pumpkin? That caught me off guard! Sounds good though. I love Annies Mac n cheese, but I'm like you- I love adding veggies to my food.
  • Amy C September 15, 2014, 11:18 pm
    Absolutely love Annie's Mac n cheese. So yummy when I grow broccoli in with it!
  • Maddie September 16, 2014, 12:22 am
    Yes! I love Annie's macaroni and cheese too!!
  • Laura September 16, 2014, 4:41 am
    I've had Annie's fruit snacks... Mmmm :)
  • Cynthia Cover September 16, 2014, 10:36 am
    We tried the chedder bunnies and my son loved them!! Cynthia Cover recently posted...My Sweeps Picks – It’s a Candyriffic Day! 9/9My Profile
  • Shawna O September 16, 2014, 11:19 am
    I have never tried Annies products before, but after seeing and reading your recipe you made with Annies, I can't wait to try. My kids and I love macaroni and cheese! Thanks for the chance!
  • Kait Welch September 16, 2014, 2:43 pm
    I LOVE Annies products- their mac and cheese is great but I also love there cheddar bunnies! Kait Welch recently posted...Yoga Poses for Lower Back PainMy Profile
  • Nicole September 17, 2014, 2:20 am
    Yes we have tried Annie's products, we love the mac n cheese, the crackers, and the fruit snacks.
  • Wendy banker September 17, 2014, 3:33 am
    My son loves their fruit snacks!!
  • sarah September 17, 2014, 12:41 pm
    I don't believe they sell Annies around here...but I'd love to try it!
  • Becca September 17, 2014, 9:14 pm
    I love Annie's Mac and cheese and their fruit snacks
  • Krissie September 18, 2014, 3:39 am
    I have tried some of the frozen foods. I especially like the Frozen Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese
  • wendy spencer September 18, 2014, 12:46 pm
    I've tried their dressings and some of their snack crackers-AWESOME! I really need to try this mac-n-cheese. :)
  • David September 18, 2014, 4:57 pm
    We have tried the macaroni and cheese, as well as several varieties of the frozen pizzas. Both of them are just as good, if not better than anything else on the market. I find them to be a little more expensive than the non-organic varities, but if you time it right you can get them on sale. I usually buy the pizzas when Whole Foods has them on sale for $3-$4.
  • Em @ Love A Latte September 19, 2014, 2:30 pm
    I'm a sucker for Annie's Mac & Cheese once in a while too. Saw that Earth Balance makes boxed Mac & cheese now, but I haven't tried it. I'm really excited about it though because it's vegan. Have you tried it?! Em @ Love A Latte recently posted...My Week in 10 SentencesMy Profile
  • Brittany @ Barr & Table September 19, 2014, 11:07 pm
    I love Annie's grahams!! Brittany @ Barr & Table recently posted...Five Things Friday {9/19}My Profile
  • Melissa October 27, 2014, 3:15 pm
    We love Annie's Macaroni and Cheese! My kids love the fun shapes (bunnies and Arthur characters) and I love knowing what I am feeding them is better form them than the other Mac and Cheese alternatives. We also love their bunny grahams!
  • Arlene Carifa October 27, 2014, 7:47 pm
    We have tried many Annie products and so far haven't found one we didn't love. I would rather make my kids meals from scratch, but when I am pressed for time, their Mac and cheeses is great and I don't feel bad feeding it to them.
  • Kate October 27, 2014, 7:47 pm
    I love Annie's mac and cheese! I totally lived off of the instant white cheddar mac and cheese in high school and college.
  • Natalie October 27, 2014, 8:06 pm
    Wow, that recipe sounds so tasty! What made you think to add pumpkin to Mac and cheese? I love pumpkin, but prefer using it in savory dishes over sweet ones, so this recipe is just perfect for me. And we love Annie's crackers in our house, and have a box of bunny mac and cheese waiting to be tried for the first time. Maybe I will make this recipe with the bunny mac and cheese this week! Natalie recently posted...Siesta Key TripMy Profile
  • jackie October 27, 2014, 8:34 pm
    I always put vegetables in my mac 'n' cheese, but it's usually loaded with them. I also just boil my own pasta and melt diffetent types of blocked cheese.
  • Denise October 27, 2014, 9:36 pm
    I have not but would rely like to! Are they available anywhere on Maui, in Hawaii? Just let me know Mahalo!
  • Renee Jones October 27, 2014, 10:06 pm
    I haven't met an Annie's product that I haven't loved!
  • Bri Vieke October 27, 2014, 10:36 pm
    I've tried Annie's Mac and Cheese and loved it! Can't wait to try your recipe!
  • Kelly Gavrich October 27, 2014, 11:58 pm
    We love Annie's Mac n cheese and cheddar bunnies. My kids ask for them by name. I love that I'm giving them real food. Thanks for your recipe idea, I'm always looking for fun ways to add more veggies to our diet.
  • Kate October 28, 2014, 4:21 am
    Is is a great recipe! Can't wait to try it out! Thank you!!!!! I adore Annie's! There products are perfect for when you need something that's both quick AND nutritious! I'm young and the first person in my family to start striving for a healthier and organic lifestyle, but even the people in my family who don't choose organic and prefer to stick to their stereotypes have to say, "wow this stuff is acutally really good" when you serve them Annie's! :) Plus it's affordable for a college budget! I would LOVE to win this set! Wow!
  • Victoria Eubanks October 28, 2014, 6:09 am
    My kids love Annie's! My nine year old makes it for her and her brother for lunch on Saturday's.
  • Rachel October 28, 2014, 8:09 am
    I LOVE Annie's! I have recently been experiencing issues with certain foods. They irritate my stomach to no end. While pregnant with my first baby I would eat regular mac and cheese and end up with stomach pain... no matter what brand, UNTIL Annie's made her way into my kitchen! It is literally the only kind I can eat, oh my is it tasty!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE Annie's, i am so thankful that there is someone out there who cares about what goes in their bodies, and others!!! THANKS ANNIES!
  • Rachel October 28, 2014, 8:25 am
    I LOVE Annie's. It is the only mac and cheese that doesn't upset my stomach. It is the only kind of Mac and cheese that enters our house :) Thanks Annie's for a great, REAL product!!
  • DEBBIE CAROLLA October 28, 2014, 8:47 am
    I love annie's food - very healthy and of course organic - I am going to try that recipe tomorrow - looks and I am sure delicious
  • Hollie October 28, 2014, 9:55 am
    We love Annie's Homegrown products! Give me some piece of mind to give this food to my son as a "snack"! This recipe is a great idea too! I usually just add broccoli to the mac n cheese, this will be fun!
  • Carolyn October 28, 2014, 10:18 am
    Yes we love Annie's! My DD cannot get enough of their fruit snacks.
  • Sandy October 28, 2014, 11:14 am
    The only way I make Mac n cheese for my kids is with veggies. I usually buy the whole wheat white cheddar Annie's Mac n cheese. I'll cook the noodles for 10 min as directed but at the end I add a cup of organic frozen veggies. Trader Joes has a foursome of carrots, peas, corn and green beans. I blanche them in the boiling water with the noodles for two minutes; drain and mix in milk, butter and cheese packet as directed. So easy; the kids like it; and it makes a simple box of Mac n cheese go farther by adding the veggies to it (I can feed all three of my kids from one box).
  • Danille October 28, 2014, 11:16 am
    Yes! Annie's g-free products are my favorite for my kids and myself!
  • Jennifer October 28, 2014, 6:19 pm
    I love all of the Annie's mac and cheese varieties. My son loves their canned pasta as well. I'd have to say the white cheese mac and cheese is the BEST!
  • Christy October 28, 2014, 7:03 pm
    We eat a lot of Annie's products in our house- cheddar bunnies, fruit snacks, mac and cheese, skillet meals, frozen meals... We love them all!
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