Stovetop Broccoli Mac and Cheese
This dreamy, creamy mac and cheese recipe gets a nutritious boost from broccoli.
Ingredients
1 large head broccoli, chopped into small pieces
1 16-ounce package whole grain pasta (such as macaroni, rotini, or penne)
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons reduced fat cream cheese (about 2 ounces)
5 ounces cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Equipment
Microwave-safe bowl
Colander
Small pot with lid
Large pot
Utensils
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
- Before you begin, wash your hands, surfaces, utensils, and vegetables.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add broccoli and just enough water to cover halfway. Heat in microwave until bright green and tender, about 6–8 minutes.
- Cook pasta following package instructions. Drain in a colander and set aside. While pasta is cooking, make cheese sauce.
- In a small pot over medium heat, heat milk until hot and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. When hot, remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour. Mix with rubber spatula, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and flour is mixed in.
- Slowly add the warm milk into large pot. Stir constantly with a spatula, until sauce thickens. Sauce should be thick enough that when spoon is dipped in, sauce will stick to back of spoon.
- Stir in salt and black pepper. Add cream cheese, shredded cheese, and broccoli. Stir until shredded cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
- Add pasta to cheese sauce. Stir to coat.
Tips
- Use any veggies you like. Try using 11/2 cups chopped tomatoes, steamed cauliflower, or cooked peas or spinach instead of broccoli.
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or any herbs and spices you like. Mix into the sauce with the salt and black pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
3/4 cup
Per serving
Amount
Calories
250
Total Fat
8g
Sodium
400mg
Total Carbohydrate
38g
Protein
12g
Recipe sourced from The Food Trust’s Cooking Matters
