Baked Macaroni Cheese Broccoli (Printable)
Creamy baked macaroni combined with tender broccoli and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Vegetables
02 - 10 oz broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 3 cups whole milk
06 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
12 - 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
→ Topping
13 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Add broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well in a colander and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture bubbles and turns slightly golden but does not brown.
04 - Gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth and no lumps remain. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and just begins to bubble, 5-7 minutes.
05 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly until all components are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
07 - In a small bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
08 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Remove from the oven and let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly for easier serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The broccoli tucks right into the cheesy noodles so even skeptics eat their vegetables without a single complaint
- That breadcrumb topping creates this incredible crunch contrast that keeps people coming back for just one more bite
- Makes enough for a crowd plus leftovers that actually taste better the next day
02 -
- Shredding cheese from blocks instead of buying pre-shredded makes the difference between creamy and grainy sauce
- Overbaking turns this into a dry disappointment, so pull it when the cheese is bubbling through the crust
03 -
- Warm your milk in the microwave for 45 seconds before adding it to the roux
- Cook pasta one minute less than package directions since it keeps cooking in the oven