Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese

This Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese is a cozy, veggie-packed twist on the classic comfort food. Tender pasta and bite-sized broccoli florets are cooked together for ease, then coated in a rich homemade cheese sauce. The sauce begins with a buttery onion and garlic roux, thickened with flour, then blended with milk and sharp cheddar until creamy and smooth. Finished under the broiler with more cheddar and melted mozzarella, this dish is golden, gooey, and deeply satisfying.

Author: These Carbs Don't Count

Category: Pasta

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 3 bowls

Calories: 657 kcal per serving

Ingredients

½ pound - pasta
1 ½ cup - broccoli florets
3 tablespoon - butter
½ - onion
3 cloves - garlic
3 tablespoon - all-purpose flour
2 cup - milk
1 ½ cup - cheddar cheese
½ cup - mozzarella cheese
⅛ - Salt
⅛ - Black pepper
⅛ - Reserved pasta water

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until a few minutes from al dente.
Add broccoli to the same pot and continue cooking until pasta is al dente and broccoli is tender. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
In a separate pan, melt butter and sauté diced onion until soft. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer until thickened.
Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine cooked pasta and broccoli with the cheese sauce. Add a splash of pasta water to adjust consistency.
Transfer to a baking dish, top with more cheddar and mozzarella, and broil until melted and bubbly.
Serve hot.