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Mac and Cheese with Fresh or Frozen Peas (Vegetarian)

This creamy baked mac and cheese with peas is topped with crispy breadcrumbs and ready in under 1 hour. Made with frozen or fresh peas, this easy vegetarian macaroni and cheese is a family favorite and one of the best ways to use up garden peas.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword creamy baked mac and cheese with peas, garden pea macaroni casserole, mac and cheese with peas, vegetarian mac and cheese bake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Author Pamela Reed

Ingredients

  • 2 cups macaroni elbow noodles
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder
  • 2 cups peas (fresh sugar snap peas or frozen peas)
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Cook the elbow noodles in a pot of boiling salted water according to time on the box. I like to pull them a minute before they’re done as they’re going to bake in the oven too. Drain and then pour the noodles into the baking dish.
  • Add butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once butter is melted, stir in flour, whisking until combined. Add milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and mustard powder and continue to cook until milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Add in shredded cheese and continue stirring until cheese completely melts.
  • Pour cheese sauce on top of elbow noodles in baking dish.
  • Add the peas in and stir until completely mixed together. Note: You can use fresh sugar snap peas or frozen peas. If using sugar snap peas, remove the strings and chop them up into small pieces.
  • Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven or if you want a browned crispy top put under the oven broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching it carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool down for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing leftovers: Although there is never leftover mac and cheese at our dinner table, you can store it in airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if you do! Reheat in the microwave until fully warmed up.