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.
I am forever look for new toddler 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.
(For more easy one-pot pasta recipes, try my One-Pot Mac and Cheese, Homemade Hamburger Helper, Cheeseburger Pasta, Cheese Sauce for Broccoli, and Pastina Soup.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make this Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe you’ll need a handful of ingredients. Here’s a look at what to have on hand and ready to go.
- 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: I cook with unsalted butter so I can control the salt, so that’s what I use here. You can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand.
- 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 Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full information.
Step 1. 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.
Step 2. Stir in the pasta and let it cook until tender. There may be a little liquid left in the pot, but it will be absorbed as the mixture sits.
Step 3. Meanwhile, warm the broccoli according to the package directions and cut up with scissors if you want smaller pieces. (That is optional!)
Step 4. Stir the broccoli, cheese, butter, and cream cheese into the pasta mixture to make a creamy, cheesy mixture.
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.
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.
Nutrition
This post was first published October 2021.
This recipe was so delicious and easy! Unfortunately, my kiddo didn’t eat it – it’s a daily struggle lol – but the rest of us devoured it. Yum!!!
Delicious! I made it with chopped spinach tonight bc we were out of broccoli. It was almost better than the original way! A whole family hit.
Delicious! I made it tonight with chopped spinach bc we were out of broccoli, and it might’ve even been better than the original. Big family hit.