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2 Comments

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Nov 17, 2024

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Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese is made on the stovetop in just one pot and is the ultimate in comfort food side dishes. With lusciously melted cheddar, cream cheese, fresh chopped broccoli and elbow pasta, this is one homemade macaroni and cheese recipe that gets to the table in less than 30 minutes!

creamy broccoli macaroni and cheese in a bowl with spoon to show cheese sauce, pasta and broccoli


If you love macaroni & cheese and are a true fan of “all things cheesy” side dishes, you’ll also love my Ultimate Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese, Easy Creamy Fettucine Alfredo and Baked Gouda Cheese Grits.

creamy stovetop broccoli mac and cheese as a side dish for dinner

Macaroni and cheese is always a winner! Classic, inviting and just the right amount of dreamy indulgence, who doesn’t love a golden helping of mac & cheese? And this recipe? Well, it’s all that and then some.

With a bit of chopped broccoli, it’s a great way to sneak an extra veggie to the table while amping up your menu’s yum factor. Kids love it, husbands love, it’s a tried and true keeper. And while it rocks a Wednesday night, it’s also right smart on the holiday table.

Ingredient photo for stovetop macaroni and cheese with fresh broccoli

Broccoli Mac & Cheese Ingredients

  • elbow pasta
  • broccoli crowns or florets (I use fresh broccoli so that I can chop it small without a lot of stalk, like my family likes it.)
  • sharp cheddar cheese
  • cream cheese
  • half & half
  • chicken broth
  • butter
  • flour
  • ground mustard, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper
making sauce and adding pasta and broccoli to show how to make recipe

How To Make Creamy Stovetop Broccoli Mac & Cheese

To begin this recipe, I like to have everything chopped, grated and measured out before I start cooking.

Boil Macaroni and Broccoli. This recipe boils the pasta and the broccoli (one after the other) in the same sauce pan using chicken broth and water.

In a large sauce pan, add enough chicken broth to cover the macaroni, then add enough water (about 2 C or so) to allow pasta room to boil. Cook just until al dente. Remove pasta from the brothy water and set aside.

Add chopped broccoli to broth and boil for 3-5 minutes, just until tender. Drain pasta and broccoli together.

Make Sauce. Put the same sauce pan back on the stovetop. Melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, making a smooth paste. Then whisk in the seasonings. Continuing to whisk, slowly pour in half & half, then ½ C chicken broth. Add cheese one handful at a time, whisking until each melts before adding another. Lastly whisk in cream cheese.

Add the Goods. Fold in drained macaroni and broccoli and you’re ready to serve!

pro tip for creamy melted mac and cheese sauce
Close up of finished broccoli mac and cheese to show creamy texture

What to Serve with Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese

This creamy, cheesy side dish is perfect for the holiday table and easily takes the place of a traditional broccoli cheese & rice casserole. But it’s also great for any weeknight too! Partner it up with any of these proteins to make a meal your family will love. Or enjoy it by itself for a warm, welcoming lunch!

  • Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
  • Easy Pepper Crusted Pork Loin
  • Classic Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
  • Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders
  • Juicy Lucy Broiler Burgers

Substitutions

Pasta. Don’t want to use elbow macaroni? Pasta shells, rotini and bow ties are great options for this dish.

Broccoli. To skip the steps of chopping & boiling the broccoli, use frozen broccoli. Run it under warm water in a colander, drain well and fold into mac & cheese according to the recipe.

Spice. Add a little red pepper flakes to bring the heat!

Make it a Meal. Add leftover holiday ham or chopped rotisserie chicken to make this an all-in-one meal!

A bowl of broccoli macaroni and cheese as a comfort food meal

Other Comfort Side Dishes You’ll Love

  • Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Southern Cornbread Pudding
  • Louisiana Dirty Rice
  • Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Garlic & Cream Cheese
  • Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW!

RATE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT OR SNAP A PHOTO.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse
creamy broccoli macaroni and cheese in a bowl with spoon to show cheese sauce, pasta and broccoli

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese is made on the stovetop in just one pot with lusciously melted cheddar, cream cheese, fresh chopped broccoli and elbow pasta.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: classic, comfort food, family meal, holiday
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 5 people
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 2 cups, uncooked), prepared in chicken broth & water
  • 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ÂĽ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 cups half & half
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounce block)
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
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Instructions

  • In a large sauce pan, add enough chicken broth to completely cover uncooked macaroni. Add about 2 C of water to give pasta room to boil. Cook to al dente. Remove pasta from sauce pan, keeping broth and water. Set macaroni aside.
  • Add chopped broccoli to same broth/water mixture. Let boil 3-5 minutes or just until broccoli is tender. Drain broccoli with pasta.
  • Put saucepan back on the stop over medium heat. Melt butter. Sprinkle in flour. Whisk until there are no lumps and flour makes a thick paste. Whisk in seasonings.
  • Whisk in half & half, continuing to whisk until there are again no lumps. Whisk in ½ cup broth.
  • Added grated cheese one handful at a time. After each handful, whisk slowly until cheese is melted before adding another handful. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
  • Fold in pasta and broccoli and serve!
creamy broccoli macaroni and cheese in a bowl with spoon to show cheese sauce, pasta and broccoli
Did you make my Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese is made on the stovetop in just one pot and is the ultimate in comfort food side dishes.  With lusciously melted cheddar, cream cheese, fresh chopped broccoli and elbow pasta, this is one homemade macaroni and cheese recipe that gets to the table in less than 30 minutes!

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Filed Under: Recipes, Side Dishes Tagged With: comfort food

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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  1. Avatar photoRachel

    November 16, 2024 at 8:34 am

    4 stars
    This recipe looks great but your instructions don’t have amounts for the chicken broth to boil pasta, (with additional water) then incorporating chicken stock in the sauce.
    The ingredients list has 1/2 cup of broth, please advise amounts for these separate steps.

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      November 17, 2024 at 12:45 pm

      Hi, Rachel! Step 1 of the recipe card includes these instructions for the broth and the water: “In a large sauce pan, add enough chicken broth to completely cover uncooked macaroni. Add about 2 C of water to give pasta room to boil. Cook to al dente. Remove pasta from sauce pan, keeping broth and water. Set macaroni aside.”

      In Step 4, 1/2 Cup of broth is required to make the cheese sauce.

      The “How To…” instructions inside the post will also help.

      Enjoy!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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