Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Here’s a kid-friendly recipe for Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese that’s both delicious and nutritious!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or any pasta shape your kids like)
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets (you can also use frozen)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for breadcrumbs)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Cheese Sauce:

• In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

1. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is well coated.
2. Prepare for Baking:

• Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.
• If using breadcrumbs, mix them with olive oil in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese.

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
2. Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese!

Tips:

• You can add other veggies like peas or carrots for extra nutrition.
• Feel free to use different types of cheese based on your kids’ preferences.
• This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.

Enjoy your cooking!