Baked Macaroni Cheese Broccoli (Printable)
Tender pasta with broccoli enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce, baked to a golden finish with crispy topping.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta & Vegetables
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 10 oz fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 3 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
08 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
09 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
12 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Topping
15 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
16 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
17 - 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
18 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# How-To:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 5 minutes. Add broccoli florets and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and broccoli is just tender. Drain thoroughly.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes.
04 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, grated Parmesan, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses melt and sauce is smooth.
06 - Gently toss the drained macaroni and broccoli with the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni mixture.
08 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the topping is golden and sauce is bubbling. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of three cheeses creates a depth that keeps you coming back for seconds.
- Broccoli adds texture and nutrition without making you feel like you're eating health food.
- It comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or when you need to impress without stress.
02 -
- Don't skip the step of draining your pasta and broccoli well; excess water will dilute your sauce and make the final dish watery instead of creamy.
- Add your cheese off the heat to prevent it from becoming grainy or separating, which happens when cheese gets too hot too quickly.
03 -
- Shred your cheese fresh from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that prevent a perfectly smooth sauce.
- Toast your breadcrumb topping mixture in a skillet with a little butter before sprinkling it on; it browns faster in the oven and stays crunchier longer.