With a super easy method that only requires one pot, you can have this easy Broccoli Mac and Cheese ready for family dinner—or a kids meal. It cooks in about 20 minutes and has a solid dose of nutrients and deliciousness.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese
I am forever look for new pasta recipes to share with my family because while I love buttered pasta as much as the next person, I really do love a little more flavor. Enter: Broccoli Mac and Cheese!
This recipe requires minimal pots and equipment, cooks quickly, and is really versatile to help you use what you have on hand and prefer–as in fresh or frozen broccoli, added spices or simpler.
I did my best to make sure that any leftovers reheat to the same creamy consistency (thank you cream cheese!) and that you don’t have to make a roux.
We usually have this as a vegetarian dinner, but I can also attest that it’s delicious with a little ham or a fried egg on top. Or cubes of cooked chicken or white beans. YUM.
Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need a handful of ingredients. Here’s a look:
- Milk: I usually use whole milk for maximum creaminess, but low fat milk would work too if that’s what you have.
- Broth or water: I prefer to use reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth here. Water works if you don’t have broth.
- Pasta: A shorter shape, like elbows, mini farfalle, or ditalini, is best for the timing in this recipe. Adjust the timing if you use a larger or smaller shape.
- Broccoli: I prefer the steam-in-the-bag frozen kind here since it eliminates the need for a second pot.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheese makes this ingredient easy to add.
- Butter
- Cream cheese: This helps the mixture stay creamy, even during reheating.
- Optional spices You can add onion powder for additional flavor if you like.
TIP: I prefer to use steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli, but you can also use fresh. See the Notes at the bottom of the recipe for the info at the end of this post for those details.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Gluten-free: Use a favorite kind of gluten-free pasta. The one from Barilla would be my choice here.
- You can use regular frozen broccoli, steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli, or fresh broccoli. You’ll want to chop fresh broccoli into florets.
- Use reduced-sodium vegetable broth to make this vegetarian.
- You can also stir in frozen peas at the end, rather than using broccoli, if you prefer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.
- Add the milk and broth or water to a pot and bring to a simmer. You’ll start on high heat and turn it down to about medium.
- Stir in the pasta and let it cook until tender.
- Meanwhile, warm the broccoli according to the package directions and cut up with scissors if you want smaller pieces. (That is optional!)
- Stir the broccoli, cheese, butter, and cream cheese into the pasta mixture. When you stir everything in, the liquid won’t be fully absorbed yet, but it will soon be so don’t worry. Serve warm.
TIP: The size of the pasta you use may alter the cooking time slightly, so you can check it for doneness and cook for an additional minute or two if needed if you use a larger shape than I did.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to use elbows or mini shells or another shape that’s a similar size. If you go much bigger or smaller, it may take more or less time to cook. (If you go with a smaller shape, it may wind up much saucier than what’s shown here.)
I like to use steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli so that I don’t need to get out a separate pot. I steam it according to the package directions in the microwave and drain it.
Then I cut it up into smaller pieces with kitchen shears. You can also steam fresh broccoli in a pot fitted with a steamer basket if you prefer.
The cheesy texture of this pasta is smoothest and best served right after cooking, but the leftovers reheat really nicely. I added in some cream cheese to the mixture to help with this and the mixture stirs up nicely when warmed from being cold.
(My kids like to take the leftovers for lunch the next day—I pack it in a thermos for school!)
How to Store and Reheat
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through stirring halfway through for even heating, in the microwave. If the mixture seems very firm when you pull it out of the fridge, sprinkle the top with water before reheating.
Best Tips for Success
- The size of the pasta you use may alter the cooking time slightly. This recipe was tested with elbow pasta, so any kind that’s a similar size should work the same.
- I prefer to use steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli to cut down on pots, but you can also steam fresh broccoli in a pot fitted with a steamer basket.
- I don’t often call for a half of pound of pasta, but this is very filling so I went with a smaller amount here to avoid a ton of leftovers. But if you want to use a full pound, you can click the “2x” in the recipe card to adjust it up.
- Add the optional spices to add more flavor as desired.
- Find more of my favorite toddler pasta recipes.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please comment and rate the recipe below!
One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (I use whole milk)
- 1 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
- 8 ounces elbow or mini shell pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 10 ounces frozen broccoli (I use the steam-in-the-bag kind)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to double this!)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
Instructions
- Add the broth and milk to a large pot set over high heat. Bring just to a boil, then reduce to medium-high.
- Stir in the pasta and salt, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the pasta is just soft. (The liquid will not be totally absorbed and that is okay—it will be by the end of the process!)
- Meanwhile, steam the broccoli in the bag (or steam it on the stovetop if using fresh broccoli). Drain the broccoli and cut it up roughly with kitchen scissors.
- Turn the heat off and stir the cheese, broccoli. butter, cream cheese, and salt into the pasta mixture. Taste and season with additional salt as needed. Serve.
Video
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through, in the microwave.
- The size of the pasta you use may alter the cooking time slightly. This recipe was tested with elbow pasta, so any kind that’s a similar size should work the same.
- I prefer to use steam-in-the-bag frozen broccoli to cut down on pots, but you can also steam fresh or regular frozen broccoli florets in a pot fitted with a steamer basket. Fill your pot with 2 inches of water, add the steamer basket, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until broccoli is just tender. Add to the recipe.
- I don’t often call for a half of pound of pasta, but this is very filling so I went with a smaller amount here to avoid a ton of leftovers. But if you want to use a full pound, you can click the “2x” in the recipe card to adjust it up.
- Add the optional spices to add more flavor as desired. Adults may also like to top their serving with crushed red pepper or hot sauce.
So yum! Big hit with the whole family. I added paprika and garlic.
I also put extra cheese and breadcrumbs on top and grilled. SO GOOD!
This is definitely my go to mac and cheese recipe, the whole family loves it! Tonight I made it with pureed steamed cauliflower instead of regular steamed broccoli. So good!!
My picky 2.5 year old is currently SMASHING this! 😆👏🏻 Thank you!
Yay!
Quick question – is it normal for the mac to stick together in clumps while cooking?
You can stir it if that happens I would think. I hope that helps!
This was amazing and loved by the whole family! Even my som who usually refuses broccoli said it was tasty! I was just wondering though for the nutritional information, how much is considered one serving? Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that! Nutritional info is 1/4 of the amount made. (Sorry that I don’t have a more precise amount. I try not to encourage anyone to actually measure food unless there’s a medical concern.)
Delicious! The whole family loved it and I feel good sending this with my daughter to daycare.
Creamy and so easy to make! Did frozen broccoli and velveta / shredded cheddar mixed. Added some extra salt, pepper and onion powder. Didn’t use cream cheese, velveta was creamy enough. Used chicka boom chick pea pasta for extra nutrition. 18 month old hasn’t tried it yet but I had a bowl right after cooking and loved it!
I made this for my toddler but it was so good the whole family devoured it. I had to make it again the next day haha. I will be adding this to my recipe box and making this often. I love how fast and easy this was! Thanks for the yummy recipe!!
Excellent and easy Mac and cheese recipe
Made this for lunch for myself, my husband and 14-month-old and we all loved it! I love that it’s so easy to make and comes together quickly and it’s a one pot meal, not to mention so delicious! 5 stars from me!
The first time I made this, it was awesome…but every time since then has resulted in just a waste. The cheese doesn’t stick to the noodles (little shells), the broth/milk is just soup, and the noodles just sit naked because the cheese will only stick to my spoon while stirring. What am I doing wrong?? PLEASE HELP!!
What kind of cheese are you using?
Same 🙁 First time I made it it came out perfect. The second & third time were disasters. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong!
Can you tell me what happened?
This happened to me as well. Followed the recipe, using double the cheese and diced chicken instead of broccoli. Cooked my elbows for 14 minutes.
Same thing happened to me! First time it was perfect. My husband even said it was the best Mac n cheese he’s ever had. But each time since the sauce get more clumpy. This last time I’ve made it. The liquid and the cheese have completely separated. I’ve used the exact same ingredients everything right down to the brands.
Such an easy, delicious and balanced dish. I love that I prepped this in just under 30 minutes and my 2 year old actually gobbled it up. Thanks so much!
Thought I’d share a review from my 3yo, who after his first bite said, “everyone in the world will like this!”. 😆
Yay!
My kid and my husband adores this recipe! Everytime I do it, he always tells me how delicious it is and it truly is! It is my favourite mac and cheese recipe as its not the unhealthy type. Thanks so much 💗