Sweet Potato and Garlic Mac and Cheese

Tasty and nutritious twist on the classic mac 'n cheese!

Ingredients:
1 medium sweet potato, cubed (1 - 1 1/4 cups cubes)
1 head of garlic
olive oil to drizzle
salt and pepper
2 cups almond milk
1 1/2 tbsps butter
2 tbsps flour
2 cups shredded strong cheese, like sharp cheddar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of hot pepper flakes
2 pinches smoked paprika
2 cups pasta (elbow or penne)
1 cup chopped kale or spinach

Start with a quick "roasted" garlic. Cut the top off the head of garlic. Drizzle olive oil on top, add salt and pepper. Pour 1 tbsp water into the microwave safe dish. Cover and microwave on low 3 minutes. Check for softness and continue cooking on low 3 minutes at a time until tender. Set aside.

Cook the sweet potatoes...either boil 10-15 minutes or roast at 400 F tossed in oil for 20-25 minutes. Place the cooked sweet potatoes in a food processor. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and add to the potatoes along with 1/4 cup of the almond milk. Process together until smooth. Set aside.

Next make a white sauce...melt the butter in a saucepan, whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining almond milk and cook 3 minutes.

Add the sweet potato mixture to the white sauce along with the nutmeg, salt, pepper, hot pepper flakes and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.