Lightened-Up Broccoli Mac & Cheese Everyone Loves
A creamy, satisfying mac and cheese made lighter with low-fat milk, sharp cheddar, and fresh broccoli. One pot, simple ingredients, and full flavor make it a go-to comfort food for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz elbow macaroni
3 cups broccoli florets
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups low-fat milk
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp mustard powder or 1 tsp Dijon
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package instructions.
- Add broccoli florets to the pot 3 minutes before pasta is done.
- Drain pasta and broccoli; set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened, 3–4 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in cheddar until melted and smooth.
- Add seasonings and mix well.
- Return pasta and broccoli to the pot and stir to coat.
- Serve hot.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or a splash of evaporated milk. Gluten-free pasta and flour substitutions work well. Frozen broccoli is a convenient alternative.