Stovetop Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Stovetop Broccoli Mac and Cheese

This creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food—packed with tender broccoli and rich, melty cheddar. It's an easy, kid-friendly way to sneak in some greens while delivering deliciously satisfying flavor!

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Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Stovetop Broccoli

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 586kcal

Ingredients

8 oz dry elbow macaroni
Salt, for boiling water
4 cups (10 oz) broccoli florets, cooked and finely chopped
3½ Tbsp butter
3½ Tbsp all-purpose flour
¼ tsp garlic powder
1¾ cups milk
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1-2 tsp Dijon mustard (adjust to taste)
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve a small amount of pasta water (for adjusting the sauce consistency later, if needed). Drain pasta and set aside.

Prepare the Cheese Sauce

While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Stir in flour and garlic powder, whisking constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
Gradually add in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
Add cream cheese and Dijon mustard, stirring until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce has thickened

Incorporate the Cheese & Broccoli

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until smooth and fully melted.
Add in the drained pasta and finely chopped broccoli, tossing everything together to coat evenly.
Season with salt to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency.

Serve & Enjoy!

Serve warm and enjoy this creamy, cheesy goodness!

Notes

Cooking the Broccoli: Steam or boil the florets until fully tender (about 4-5 minutes). Drain well, then finely chop before adding to the mac and cheese.
Cheese Flavor: Prefer a bolder, cheesier taste? Feel free to add extra cheddar!

Nutrition

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