Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli (Printable)
Creamy macaroni with broccoli in a rich cheese sauce, topped with crunchy golden breadcrumbs.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta and Vegetables
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 10 oz broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Cheese Sauce
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 3 cups whole milk
06 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
08 - 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Topping
14 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add macaroni and cook for 6 minutes. Add broccoli and continue cooking for 2 more minutes until pasta is al dente and broccoli is bright green. Drain thoroughly.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until sauce thickens and bubbles, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Stir in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until completely melted and smooth.
06 - Add cooked macaroni and broccoli to the cheese sauce. Mix gently until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and melted butter. Mix until evenly distributed.
08 - Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère creates the most incredible depth of flavor, far superior to using just one cheese
- Cooking the broccoli right with the pasta means one less pot to wash and perfectly tender vegetables every time
02 -
- Removing the sauce from heat before adding cheese prevents it from separating and becoming grainy
- Letting the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking helps the sauce set slightly so it doesnt run immediately when served
03 -
- Grate your cheese while cold, then let it come to room temperature before adding to the sauce for optimal melting
- Salt your pasta water generously, as its the only chance to season the pasta itself