Mac And Cheese With Broccoli

Cheesy, gooey macaroni and cheese full of tender broccoli and soft noodles is the ultimate comfort food, cooked all in one pot! Make this better than box cheddar mac and cheese with broccoli for any weeknight dinner.

 

Why We Love Macaroni And Cheese With Broccoli

• So Cheesy – This homemade mac and cheese is rich, creamy and cheesy. It makes a cozy meal and the combination of broccoli and cheesy sauce works so well together..
• Easy Weeknight Meal – Have this meal on the table in less than thirty minutes (including prep!) for a busy weeknight dinner.
• Kid Friendly– So many kids love creamy mac and cheese, and these cheesy stovetop version doesn’t disappoint. My kid has asked for this easy broccoli mac as her birthday dinner before.

My kid loved the Panera mac and cheese with broccoli, but I knew making it at home was way more cost-effective and could still be quick. You’ll love this creamy recipe too. Also try the cheesy pasta with smoked sausage for another spin on mac and cheese.

Ingredients For Mac And Cheese

• elbow macaroni
• chicken broth
• garlic powder or minced garlic
• salt
• black pepper
• broccoli – no stems. chopped into small florets
• heavy cream– can use half and half or whole milk also
• milk
• butter – melted
• cheddar cheese shredded, the finished mac and cheese recipe will be more creamy less clumpy if you grate your own cheese rather than use pre-shredded cheese. See notes in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Fresh parsley is optional but delicious!

How To Make Mac And Cheese With Broccoli

1. In a large pot, add elbow macaroni, broth, broccoli, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything well

2. Turn the stove to medium heat and bring the pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer until you have almost no liquid left. Stir occasionally so that the pasta doesn’t stick together.

3. Add butter, milk, and cream, stir and continue cooking until pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes.
4. Add cheese to the pot. Stir and cook until the cheese is melted into a creamy cheese sauce, about 2 minutes.

5. Eat and enjoy once the sauce has thickened. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Variation Ideas For Mac And Cheese With Broccoli

Add Leftover Meat– Bits of diced bacon, ham, chicken, sausage or whatever leftover meat you have can add extra savory deliciousness to this broccoli macaroni.

Try Peas– Adding peas is another one of my favorite veggies to add to mac and cheese. I use frozen peas I defrost in warm water, and throw the peas in the pot at the end.

Swap Out Cauliflower– You can swap out cauliflower or a blend of veggies like cauliflower, carrots and broccoli for the cheesy broccoli in this recipe to give the mac and cheese more variety.

Try All Milk– I’ve used heavy cream in this recipe to give the mac and cheese more richness, but you can swap out milk for cream, or use half and half if you prefer. The higher the percentage of fat, the creamier the mac and cheese will be. So whole milk will make a creamier mac and cheese than skim milk.

Use Frozen Veggies– You can use frozen veggies (broccoli, cauliflower or other blend mixes). For the best results I prefer to steam these veggies separately either in the microwave or on the stove. Frozen veggies have extra water that can affect the final cook time. If you prefer to cook the veggies in the same pot, it is best to add the veggies at the same time you add the milk to the recipe. It will take a few extra minutes to cook the pasta, as adding frozen veggies will lower the temperature in the pot temporarily but it’s a great way to add a few extra veggies.

Swap The Cheese– I like to use extra sharp cheddar in my bowl of mac, but you can use your favorite gooey cheese or a blend of more than one kind of cheese. Try white cheddar cheese, gouda, provolone, pepper jack, Monterey jack, gruyere, colby, havarti, parmesan or fontina to mix things up.

Use Other Short Pasta– You can use any short pasta in this recipe like ziti, rotini, or bow tie pasta, just use 8 ounces of pasta.

Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?

For the best results, shred the cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese.

Pre-shredded cheese has a potato starch or other starch added to the shredded cheese to keep it will clumping. This extra starch will make your mac and cheese less creamy and more gluey. You will have the best results from shredding the cheese at home.

How Long Will Mac And Cheese Last

This mac and cheese will taste best within 3-4 days. Store any leftovers in an airtight container if you don’t eat the whole thing.