Mac and Cheese Broccoli Bake Recipe

Mac and Cheese Broccoli Bake

Lighten up this classic comfort food favorite with fresh broccoli.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, your choice (like penne, macaroni, or ziti)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1⁄2 cup onion, finely minced
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups aged cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1⁄4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1⁄2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli florets 2 minutes before draining. Drain all and set aside.
  • Melt 3 tbsp. butter. Add flour and whisk over medium heat. Pour in milk slowly, whisking well until incorporated and smooth. (It will be thick at first.) Add minced onion, cayenne pepper, white pepper and salt. Gradually add cheddar and half of the Parmesan cheese, whisking until incorporated.
  • Add pasta and broccoli to cheese sauce. Pour into casserole dish. Mix together remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, remaining butter (melted), and parsley. Top the pasta mixture with this mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, your choice (like penne, macaroni, or ziti)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1⁄2 cup onion, finely minced
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups aged cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1⁄4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1⁄2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli florets 2 minutes before draining. Drain all and set aside.
  • Melt 3 tbsp. butter. Add flour and whisk over medium heat. Pour in milk slowly, whisking well until incorporated and smooth. (It will be thick at first.) Add minced onion, cayenne pepper, white pepper and salt. Gradually add cheddar and half of the Parmesan cheese, whisking until incorporated.
  • Add pasta and broccoli to cheese sauce. Pour into casserole dish. Mix together remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, remaining butter (melted), and parsley. Top the pasta mixture with this mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.