Cheesy Broccoli Mac and Cheese is a stove-top recipe where steamed Broccoli and Cooked Pasta are tossed in a cheesy Cheddar sauce and served. A quick and easy family-friendly meal that kids will love for sure. It's just like my Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.
I am always on the lookout for healthy ways to get the kids to eat their veggies. And this Broccoli Mac and Cheese is literally, "The Best Recipe" to get the kids to enjoy Broccoli. In my home, kids enjoy Broccoli only when I cook it with some Cheese. Other Family Favourite Broccoli Recipes you will love are Broccoli Lasagna Roll Ups or Broccoli Rice Casserole or Creamed Broccoli with Crispy Bacon or Broccoli Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese or this cheesy Broccoli Casserole with Ritz Crackers and Mayonnaise
This Broccoli Mac and Cheese makes dinner a breeze. This can also be served as a quick side dish for Easter or Thanksgiving or a family brunch. This never fails to impress and is always a hit in the fam! Moreover, this is a perfectly easy and quick stove-top Mac and Cheese recipe that gets ready in just 30 minutes.
The best thing about Mac and Cheese is that it can never get boring. Also, this one with an amazing Cheddar Cheese Sauce and freshly steamed Broccolis is just the epitome of comfort food. 🙂
How to make Broccoli Mac and Cheese?
Making this Broccoli Mac and Cheese is easy and involves just 3 basic steps. You can find the detailed recipe and recipe video below.
First - Cook the Pasta until al dente. I have used small Shells, Pasta, for this recipe which takes about 3 minutes to get al dente. You can use any Pasta you have or love. (Check the cooking time for each pasta and cook accordingly). Drain the Pasta after cooking and wash it with cold tap water to prevent them from getting stuck.
Meanwhile, chop the Broccoli into florets and steam it with 1 Cup of water in the Microwave for 3-4 minutes at full powder. After it gets steamed, drain the water and allow the freshly steamed Broccoli to cool down.
Second - Make the Cheese Sauce. Heat butter in a skillet. As the Butter melts, add chopped Shallots & Garlic. Saute them until fragrant.
Add Flour, Milk, and Heavy Cream. Stir everything together until it smoothens out and there are no lumps of flour left for about 2 minutes on low heat. (Add the milk in streaming motion, a little at a time and stirring continuously, to prevent lumps from getting formed)
Third - Stir in the freshly steamed Broccoli, Cooked and Drained Pasta, and shredded Cheddar Cheese. Toss to combine everything.
Once the cheese has melted and combined, garnish with salt & freshly cracked black pepper. Toss until combined and serve hot.
Steaming the Broccoli
Of course, this recipe calls for Broccoli but you cannot use raw Broccoli. So, just chop the Broccoli into florets and place them in a large bowl with a cup of water.
- Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes.
- After it gets steamed, discard the water and then use the Broccolis to stir in the sauce. This will soften the Broccoli and the Cheese sauce will seep right in, making them taste extra delicious.
If you're using Frozen Broccoli for this recipe, then you can just add them to the sauce directly and then just simmer for 5 extra minutes after you've stirred in the cheese.
What is the best Cheese to be used in Mac and Cheese?
The best choice of Cheese for Mac and Cheese is always Cheddar. I like to use mildly sharp Cheddar. You can also use smoked Cheddar or Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Just shred the Cheese at home.
I have written this in all my blogs with Cheddar Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese that you should prefer not to use Pre-Shredded Cheese. I know, it makes the work a lot easier but it contained Preservatives and sometimes some anti-caking agents. This will not allow the cheese to melt properly.
What is the Best Pasta to use for Mac and Cheese?
I think obviously the best Pasta would be Elbow Macaroni. However, I like small Shell pasta because it holds the sauce well, so I have used them. You can use any other small-sized pasta like Ziti or Rigatoni or Fusili or Cavatappi.
Just make sure to check the cooking instructions for each pasta, as each pasta has a different cooking time.
You can also use Mozzarella or Provolone or Smoked Gouda or Monterrey Jack Cheese for this recipe.
Other possible alternatives to this recipe
- You can use any other cheese like Monterrey Jack or Mozzarella
- You can add crispy fried Bacon
- You can add chopped Jalapenos
- You can also stir in some Sun-dried Tomatoes for extra flavors
- You can top with grated Parmesan Cheese and Panko Breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior
- You can stir in some Cream Cheese and Parmesan Cheese in the Cheese Sauce
- If you like it spicy, add some Hot Sauce to the Cheese Sauce.
- You can garnish with green onions or chopped Cilantro.
You can serve this as a meal or serve with other Roasted Chicken Dinner recipes. I hope you liked this recipe. If you happen to make this recipe, then comment below and rate this recipe. Also, tag me with #recipemagik on Instagram.
Other Recipes you might like
Easy Low Carb Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Creamy Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells in Alfredo Sauce
Broccoli Mac and Cheese
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large Broccoli chopped into florets
- 12 oz Uncooked Shells Pasta
for the Cheese sauce
- 1 stick Butter
- 1 CUP Shallots chopped
- 4-5 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- salt & pepper
- 1½ cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook Shells Pasta as per package directions, until al dente in salted water. Drain the water and wash the pasta with cold tap water. Steam the Broccoli with 1 cup of water in the mircowave for 5 minutes. Drain the water and keep it aside. Allow it to cool down to room temperature.
- Heat butter in a pan. As the butter melts add the chopped Shallots and Chopped Garlic. Saute them for 2-3 minutes until they get fragrant.
- Next, add the All-Purpose Flour and toss to combine. Add the Milk and Cream and toss to combine everything together. Season with salt & cracked pepper. Stir everything together until it smoothens out and there are no lumps of flour left for about 2 minutes on low heat. (Add the milk in streaming motion, a little at a time and stirring continuously, to prevent lumps from getting formed)
- Now, stir in the cooked pasta, freshly Steamed Broccoli, and shredded Cheddar Cheese. Toss to combine everything. Add some water and combine everything together if it's getting too thick. Garnish with freshly chopped Cilantro if desired and serve hot.
Video
Notes
- You can use any other cheese like Monterrey Jack or Mozzarella
- You can add crispy fried Bacon
- You can add chopped Jalapenos
- You can also stir in some Sun-dried Tomatoes for extra flavors
- You can top with grated Parmesan Cheese and Panko Breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior
- You can stir in some Cream Cheese and Parmesan Cheese in the Cheese Sauce
- If you like it spicy, add some Hot Sauce to the Cheese Sauce.
- You can garnish with green onions or chopped Cilantro.
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