Description
Creamy broccoli mac and cheese delight combines comfort with nutrition in a hearty dish that pleases families. Home cooks can easily craft this cheesy classic with simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) medium pasta shells
- 3 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 6 oz (170 g) extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 ⅓ cups (315 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) half and half
- 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Generously salt a large pot of water and cook pasta until achieving the perfect al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Aromatic Base: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic and shallots until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence, creating a flavorful foundation.
- Sauce Development: Dust flour over the aromatics, toasting to a light golden shade. Gradually whisk in whole milk, half and half, and Dijon mustard, creating a silky, smooth sauce. Simmer and thicken while stirring continuously, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Fold in broccoli florets and cooked pasta, blanketing them with the creamy sauce. Gradually incorporate sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and forming a luxurious, uniform coating that embraces every morsel.
- Final Presentation: Transfer the mac and cheese to warm serving dishes, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients. Garnish with a delicate sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper to elevate the dish’s complexity and depth.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a delightful toothsome texture.
- Roux Mastery: Toast flour carefully to eliminate raw flour taste and develop a rich, nutty flavor foundation for the sauce.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Broccoli Crunch Preservation: Add broccoli near the end of cooking to maintain its vibrant color and slight crispness, avoiding overcooking and mushy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg