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Vegetarian, Americas

Mac and cheese with broccoli

Mac and cheese with broccoli is a baked pasta dish with cheddar béchamel and steamed broccoli, serving 4 people. It takes 40 minutes, is easy to make, and costs €2.40 per serving. The key is adding the cheddar off the heat so it melts smoothly instead of turning stringy.

Tonight it's the Americans' ultimate comfort food, soft macaroni smothered in cheddar, with broccoli thrown in for good measure.

Mac and cheese with broccoli
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This is comfort food at its purest, firm macaroni wrapped in a cheddar sauce that clings to every ridge, topped with a breadcrumb crust that cracks under your fork. Nutmeg and mustard quietly lift the cheese flavor without announcing themselves, while steamed broccoli adds the green, crunchy counterpoint the dish needs.

It's the weeknight dinner that works for everyone, kids and adults alike, especially on cool fall or winter evenings when you want something warm and uncomplicated. Mon Chou also makes it a good choice for a relaxed Sunday, a one dish meal you can get ahead on and serve without fuss.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Macaronioften in the pantry 350 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 50 g
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Cheddar 250 g
  • Butter 50 g
  • Milk 70 cl

Fruits and vegetables

  • Broccoli 500 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the macaroni in salted water for a bit less time than the package says. 8 min

    They'll finish cooking in the oven, so keep them slightly firm.

  2. Melt the butter, stir in the flour, then whisk in the milk gradually. 10 min

    Warm milk helps avoid lumps.

  3. Off the heat, stir in the grated cheddar, mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper, then mix with the macaroni.

    Save a handful of cheese for the top.

  4. Pour into a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese, and bake at 200°C. 15 min

    Broil for two minutes at the end for a golden crust.

  5. Steam the broccoli and serve it alongside the bake. 8 min

    Keep it slightly crunchy, it contrasts nicely with the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Grate the cheddar yourself instead of buying pre shredded cheese, it melts far more smoothly and keeps the sauce from turning grainy.
  • Pour warm milk rather than cold into the roux, the béchamel thickens faster and more evenly that way.
  • Drain the macaroni well, leftover water dilutes the sauce and makes the bake runnier once it comes out of the oven.

The variations

  • Swap the cheddar for Gruyère or Emmental for a milder, less orange sauce.
  • Stir in diced ham or crispy bacon bits for a heartier, non vegetarian version.
  • For rushed kids, chop the broccoli into very small florets and mix them right into the bake before it goes in the oven.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with vinaigrette
  • Whole wheat bread
  • Sparkling water with lemon

Storage

The bake keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once cooled, in an airtight container, for up to 2 months. Reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave to get the crust crisp again.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different cheese instead of cheddar?

Yes, Gruyère, Emmental, or a mix of both work well. Cheddar gives the classic orange color and a sharper flavor, but other firm melting cheeses keep the same smooth texture.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble the bake the day before, cover it, and keep it in the fridge unbaked. Take it out a bit before baking and add a few extra minutes in the oven.

Why add the cheese off the heat?

Adding the cheddar once the pan is off the heat keeps it from overheating and turning stringy. It melts gently into the warm béchamel and stays smooth instead.

How do you get kids to eat the broccoli in this dish?

Chop the broccoli into small florets and mix it right into the bake before it goes in the oven, so it blends visually into the dish. Keeping it slightly crunchy rather than overcooked also keeps its flavor mild.

How long does it take to make a mac and cheese with broccoli?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a mac and cheese with broccoli?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a mac and cheese with broccoli cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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