BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
This BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE makes a great side dish or can be served as a dinner. Perfect for getting the kids to eat more veggies.
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This is how I snuck a ton of veggies to my daughter when she was going through her picky eater phases. She’d eat pretty much anything that was surrounded by Mac and cheese – and broccoli is the absolute best in Mac and cheese.
In fact, the entire family will enjoy this dish, not just the kids. It is great as a side dish or as a meal. Filling enough as is or you can add cooked chicken to the mixture before baking.
INGREDIENT OPTIONS:
- Use your preferred pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- Frozen broccoli florets can be used – thaw and drain first.
- Blue cheese is totally optional – feel free to omit.
- Onions can be omitted.
- Add cooked chicken before baking to make this a full meal.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE:
BAKED TRI TIP – SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS – BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN
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Table of Contents
BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Pasta shells It can be replaced with another pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets about 1 medium-sized broccoli
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 garlic cloves peeled and roughly chopped
- 11/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded + for topping
- ½ cup of Cheddar shredded + for topping
- 2 tbsp blue cheese crushed - optional
- 1 cup of cream cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp smoked pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
- In a steamer, add the broccoli. Place on a stove over medium heat and cover with a lid. Let it cook for about 8-10 minutes.
Test the broccoli for softness with a fork. Broccoli should not be so soft it's falling apart. - Note: If you don't have a steamer, you can do this step in a pot of water. Bring water to a boil. Place the broccoli in the boiling water for 5-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from water into a bowl and set aside.
- Add unsalted butter to large pot over medium heat. Let the butter melt - do not let burn. If necessary, reduce the heat to low.
- Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Stir occasionally.
- Add the cream cheese, blue cheese and spices. Stir occasionally until the cream cheese is melted. Then add the heavy cream. Let the cream warm. Add mozzarella and cheddar. Stir constantly until you get a creamy texture and the cheeses begin to melt.
- Remove from the heat and add creamy sauce to the pasta. Stir well until combined. Add the broccoli and mix.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Transfer broccoli mac and cheese to an oven safe casserole dish. Sprinkle with additional mozzarella and cheddar then bake in for 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Welcome!
Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...
