Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Broccoli mac and cheese a rich and creamy dish of homemade mac and cheese with broccoli. This comfort food recipe makes a great dinner or side dish.

Broccoli mac and cheese is a comforting recipe that combines homemade mac and cheese with fresh steamed broccoli.

This easy dinner recipe can be made from just a few simple ingredients. It also takes less than 30 minutes to make.

This mac and cheese makes an easy dinner, or serve it alongside roast or grilled chicken, pork chops, or ham for a heartier dinner.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Pasta: Elbow macaroni, ziti, or penne pasta are also good options. If you need the dish to be GF, substitute it for GF pasta. If you use GF pasta, be sure to blanch your broccoli florets separately, as the pasta will put off more starch in the water and not leave the broccoli with a fresh taste.
• All-purpose flour: You can use cornstarch to thicken the sauce, or you can use1 to 1 Gluten-Free flour. If you need a gluten free option, you can also substitute the flour for half a block of cream cheese and add extra cheese. Just be sure to check the ingredient labels to make sure that the products are GF.
• Cream: You can use milk or half-and-half in place of the cream.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use whatever type of cheese you prefer in your mac and cheese. A blend of cheddar and mozzarella or Jack would be a good choice.

How to make broccoli mac and cheese

Here you'll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given in the recipe below.

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water up to a boil.

Step 2: Add in the pasta and cook for 6 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in the broccoli and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.

Step 4: Drain the pasta and broccoli from the water and set aside.

Step 5: In a large skillet, melt your butter over medium heat.

Step 6: Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the flour mixture starts to turn golden brown.

Step 7: Whisk in the milk, cream, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 8: Add in your cheddar cheese and continue to stir until the sauce has started to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Fold the pasta and broccoli into your cheese sauce just until all of the pasta is coated.

Tips

• Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasoning amounts and types to your liking. You can add a pinch or two of dried mustard for a bit of bite in the sauce or throw in a couple of dashes of hot sauce for a little heat.
• Freezing: Place it in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. If you're going to freeze it, cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than al dente to so that it doesn't get too soft when freezing/thawing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Serving suggestions

You can serve broccoli mac and cheese as either a main dish or a side dish. If you're going to serve it as a main dish, I recommend serving it with a fresh green salad or fruit salad to help lighten up the meal.

If you're serving it as a side dish, the mac and cheese goes well with baked, roast, or fried chicken. It also goes well with pork chops or ham.

Storage

Store any leftover broccoli mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3-4 days when properly stored in the fridge.

More mac and cheese recipes!

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