Kid-Requested Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese (made in 20 Minutes!)
Looking for an easy twenty-minute dinner that is also made in one pot? And that your kids will love? Then, I’ve got you! This super cheesy (and easy) mac and cheese has been an absolute heavy hitter in our house over the last couple of months – cue epic cheese pulls.
So, I won’t lie – I made this mac and cheese four times (yes, 4!) for my kids last week, and I have zero mom guilt over it! Absolutely zero guilt!
For starters, this homemade mac and cheese has no business being this good—it’s creamy and cheesy with just enough seasoning to amp up that classic mac and cheese flavor. It’s so much better than the boxed variety! I even find myself gobbling up some piping hot noodles straight from the big wooden mixing spoon as I’m dishing out heavy portions into my kid’s bowls.
We are adding broccoli to this mac to help get in some veggies (see above for zero mom guilt), so it becomes a one-stop meal. My kiddos have an almost unhealthy obsession with broccoli, so adding it to this recipe was an easy call. But if you have broccoli-adverse kids, then you can add in a veggie or extra that they love – quartered cherry tomatoes, edamame, green beans, peas, riced cauliflower… just to name a few.
#momhack—I have found that this recipe is big enough for a family of four, plus there is enough to pack into my kids’ thermoses for school lunch the next day #yourwelcome.
Broccoli Mac & Cheese Video
Ingredients
To the Kitchen, we go –>
Get the recipe: Kid-Requested Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese (made in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
- 16 oz shaped pasta
- 2-3 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1/8 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/8 tsp pepper (optional)
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz block of cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box for 'al dente'. When you have 2 minutes left on your timer, add in the broccoli. Drain pasta and broccoli.
- In the same pot, over medium heat, add in the butter and let melt. Add in the flour and spices and whisk until you have a paste (roux).
- Add in the milk, whisk and let cook for 2 minutes or until thickened to a heavy cream consistency. Turn off the burner.
- Add in the cheese, one handful at a time, stirring until melted. Continue until you have added in all of the cheese and it is smooth.
- Add in the pasta and broccoli and gently stir until combined.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Cooked chicken
- Bacon
- Shelled Edamame
- Quartered cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- Stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese
- Top with green onions or crispy panko breadcrumbs
- Shredding your own cheese is preferred, as it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Feel free to use sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor more similar to traditional mac and cheese or go with a mild cheddar for a softer flavor.
- To make meal prep even quicker, you can go with pre-cut broccoli florets.
- Win over even the pickiest of toddlers and older kids by letting them choose from a couple toppings they can sprinkle over their bowl, such as bacon crumbles, everything bagel seasoning, panko breadcrumbs, or grated parmesan cheese.
Did you make this recipe?
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Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
