Delish Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Oh hey there, lovely friend of mine! So, I’ve got this thing for comfort food that just warms your soul. Enter the shiny hero of the day: Delish Broccoli Mac & Cheese. Yep, we’re talking ooey-gooey-cheesy goodness, with a little broccoli thrown in to make us feel like we’re adulting properly (or at least trying to pretend, haha). The combo is ridiculously tasty, and you should definitely try it if you want to fall in love at first bite!

I swear, this recipe has become our go-to dinner rescue. My husband devours it like it’s the last meal on earth. Sometimes, I catch him sneaking bites straight from the serving dish before I even set it down. Seriously, if our little family were to pick a spirit dish, it would be this one. It’s part nostalgia, part shameless indulgence — plus, disguising veggies with cheese means everyone’s happy, right?

Why You’ll Love This Delish Broccoli Mac & Cheese

1. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, guaranteed to chase away any blah days.
2. You feel fancy throwing broccoli in there, but it’s still classic comfort food.
3. It’s the perfect dish for when you want to impress guests without breaking a sweat.

How to Make It

Alright, imagine we’re chatting over margs or maybe just a chaotic Zoom call while the kids run wild. Start by boiling your pasta — any noodle that’s your best friend here; I love using shells because they catch the cheese just right. Toss your broccoli in the last few minutes of the pasta cooking, so it gets tender but not mushy — no one likes limp broccoli, trust me. Drain and set it aside like a forgotten birthday present.

Now, in the same pot or a new one (clean up? who has the time?), melt some butter and stir in flour until it’s pasty. This is my favorite part – not because I’m a butter enthusiast, but because you know you’re making something delicious. Pour in milk, whisking until you’ve got a dreamy, creamy sauce. Throw in the cheese and let that melt into liquid gold glory. If you’re feeling fancy, add a pinch of nutmeg.

Mix everything together — pasta, broccoli, and cheesy goodness. Salt, pepper, taste – adjust if needed because sometimes I go overboard with the cheese. Let it sit for a moment (if you have the patience), otherwise dig right in. This is your masterpiece, who cares if anyone calls it a mess.

Ingredient Notes

– Pasta: I can’t emphasize enough: use whatever’s left in your cupboard. Shells, elbows, spirals. It’s all about what’s easy.
– Broccoli: No one likes overcooked broccoli, so just a few minutes before you pull out the pasta. Keeps things crisp.
– Cheese: I once did a half-baked experiment where I used a blend of cheddar and gruyere – not bad at all. Oh, avoid the “cheese product” though – melts weirdly sometimes.

Recipe Steps:

1. Boil pasta and add broccoli for the last few minutes. Drain.
2. Melt butter and mix in flour to make a roux.
3. Gradually add milk, cooking until thickened.
4. Stir in cheese until smooth and creamy.
5. Combine pasta, broccoli, and sauce. Season, serve, enjoy!

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t walk away from the pot when making the sauce—trust me, burnt milk is a sad, sad surprise.
– If it’s too thick for your liking, a splash more milk works wonders.

Storage Tips

Honestly, leftovers (if you have any) are just as cool. Keep ’em in the fridge for a couple of days. Cold mac & cheese for breakfast? Not judging – it’s basically a breakfast casserole, right? Just heat and eat, unless you really like that cold pasta vibe.

Variations and Substitutions

See what you’ve got and get creative! Switch out cheeses, maybe use a bit of béchamel magic. Sub cauliflower for broccoli if that’s what’s haunting the veggie drawer. And hey, bacon bits – always a win. It’s forgiving like that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Broccoli Mac & Cheese

This creamy, cheesy broccoli mac & cheese is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 8 oz elbow macaroni
• ▢ 3 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
• ▢ 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ 1.5 cups milk whole milk preferred
• ▢ 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• ▢ 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ▢ 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 0.5 tsp onion powder
• ▢ 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 0.25 tsp salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Steam broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
• Gradually whisk in milk and cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove sauce from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Combine cooked macaroni and steamed broccoli with cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.
• Serve warm and enjoy your delicious broccoli mac & cheese!

Notes

For a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes before serving.