Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

Name: Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 bunch of broccoli, cut into florets; Salt; 2 cups dry elbow macaroni; 4 Tbsp butter; 3 Tbsp all purpose flour; 3 cups milk (low fat or whole); 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard; Pinch of ground nutmeg; 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups (packed) grated sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces), divided 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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There's something wonderfully comforting about macaroni and cheese, isn't there? Especially in the dead of winter when you are looking for excuses not to venture outside your house into the cold.

This mac-n-cheese casserole is everything a mac cheese should be—rich and cheesy—and includes a healthy sprinkling of broccoli florets.

Broccoli has two great loves—cheddar and black pepper—of which this dish takes full advantage. It's like broccoli cheddar soup, but in mac cheese form. Enjoy!

Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Servings 4 to 6 servings

For vegetarian option omit the Worcestershire sauce or use vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and use vegetarian Parmesan.

1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
Salt
2 cups dry elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk (low fat or whole)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups (packed) grated sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces), divided 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Boil the pasta:

Heat 4 quarts of water with 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot on high heat (for pasta). When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook uncovered at a rolling boil for 2 minutes less than the time given on the pasta package instructions. (You want to cook the pasta al dente because it will continue to cook with the cheese mixture.) Rinse quickly in cold water to stop the cooking, drain and set aside.
Steam the broccoli:

While the pasta water is coming to a boil, steam the broccoli. Put a steamer rack in a pot with an inch of water. Bring to a boil. Add the broccoli florets, sprinkle with a little salt, and cover. Steam for 4 minutes. Then remove the broccoli from the pot to a bowl.
Heat the milk:

In a microwave or in a small pot on the stovetop, heat the milk until steamy. (Preheating the milk saves time in the next step when you are making the bechamel sauce.)
Preheat oven broiler:

at 500°F.
Make roux with butter and flour:

Melt 4 Tbsp butter in a thick-bottomed oven-safe pot on medium high heat. When the butter is melted and starts to foam sprinkle with 3 Tbsp of flour. Whisk to combine. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Add milk and spices to roux:

Pour in the hot milk and whisk vigorously to combine, breaking up any clumps of flour. Lower the heat to medium low and let cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

How to Thicken Sauce
READ MORE:

Stir in the dry mustard, paprika, nutmeg, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Whisk in cheeses:

Whisk in 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar and the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Stir in broccoli, top with cheese, broil:

Stir in the broccoli and the pasta until well combined. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese on top and place under preheated broiler for 5 to 7 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer

Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Links:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Heidi of 101 Cookbooks

Broccoli Cheddar Mac Cheese — Elise Bauer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
457	Calories
26g	Fat
36g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	457
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g	33%
Saturated Fat 15g	76%
Cholesterol 75mg	25%
Sodium 640mg	28%
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 40mg	202%
Calcium 523mg	40%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 457mg	10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.