Last updated on August 26, 2022 Show
A steaming bowl of baked mac and cheese is pure comfort food. This Broccoli Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy homemade macaroni and cheese at its best. Macaroni and Cheese. The ultimate comfort food. At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than sitting down to a bowl full of warm, cheesy pasta. My kids love Panera Mac and Cheese and butternut squash mac and cheese and I love the ease of an Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. The only problem is that on its own, mac and cheese doesn’t make much of a balanced meal. One option is to add ground beef like my baked macaroni pasta or beef pasta skillet. With this broccoli mac and cheese, we’re adding in a vegetable to make more of a complete meal. You can also add cooked chicken to this homemade baked mac and cheese for extra protein. I always serve roasted broccoli or steamed broccoli on the side with mac and cheese anyways, so this recipe saves a step by mixing the broccoli right into the casserole. And cheese-smothered broccoli is a pretty amazing thing. I like to serve this meal with a green salad and some bread. It’s also a delicious side dish for baked chicken. If you have leftovers of this recipe, they make a delicious lunch. This baked mac and cheese works well as a make-ahead meal. You can prep the casserole in the afternoon, or up to one day ahead, and then bake it until hot and bubbly in the evening when you’re ready to serve it. How to make Broccoli Mac and CheeseMaking this broccoli mac and cheese requires just a few simple steps. You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below. Cook Broccoli and PastaThe first step in this easy recipe is to bring a pot of water to a boil. You’ll first cook the broccoli in the boiling water. When the broccoli is done, remove it using a slotted spoon and then boil the pasta. It’s so convenient to be able to cook both the broccoli and pasta in the same pot. Make Cheese SauceWhile the pasta boils, you’ll make a simple cheese sauce on the stove. To start, we make something called a roux, which is a fancy name for equal parts flour and fat (in this case butter) that is used to thicken a sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk or stir in the flour and some minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring the whole time. Then whisk in milk. Cook the milk mixture, stirring often, until it thickens. Turn off the heat and stir in salt, pepper and a little Dijon mustard. You can leave out the mustard if you don’t care for it, but it just enhances the flavor of the macaroni. Assemble the CasseroleStir the pasta, broccoli and cheese sauce together (you can do this in the pot that you used to cook the pasta). Then pour everything into a casserole dish or 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle on the breadcrumb topping, a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted butter. BakeBake the broccoli mac and cheese until it’s hot and bubbly and the topping is light golden brown. Then enjoy! Cooking Tips for Baked Mac and Cheese
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like my slow cooker broccoli chicken and rice casserole. Baked Broccoli Mac and CheeseCourse Main Dish Cuisine American Keyword broccoli mac and cheese Prep Time30 mins Cook Time15 mins Total Time45 mins Servings 6 servings Calories 572kcal This Broccoli Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy baked homemade macaroni and cheese at its best. Pure homemade comfort food that the whole family will enjoy. For the casserole:
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Calories: 572kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 664mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1059IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 505mg | Iron: 2mg Nutrition information is an estimate. Save Recipe This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen! What does adding an egg to mac and cheese do?The egg will make the Mac and Cheese smoother and creamier. I have tried this recipe with and without adding the egg and it does affect the texture of the final recipe. In a medium bowl, beat one egg. Warm the egg by drizzling in, very slowly, 2-3 Tablespoons of the thickened milk mixture.
Do you put eggs in baked macaroni and cheese?In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, cheese, milk and eggs. Add some salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared dish. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
What is the best seasoning to put in mac and cheese?Oregano, basil, and marjoram are excellent additions to your traditional mac and cheese recipe. Italian herbs generally pair well with cheese and pasta so it makes sense to incorporate them to mac and cheese.
How does Paula Deen make baked mac and cheese?In a bowl, whisk together the milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, hot sauce, and salt. Pour the milk mixture over the macaroni. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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