My son refuses to eat anything green. But he’ll eat mac and cheese – and anything in it – so here we are! Broccoli Cheddar Baked mac and cheese for the parenting win. The best recipes are a few things: easy, quick, delicious, involving minimal clean up, and this one checks all those boxes. Introducing your new favorite weeknight meal: Broccoli Cheddar Baked Mac and Cheese, a simple skillet meal that is as easy and quick as it is delicious!
The best part about this simple recipe is it’s versatility! Add chicken to bring the protein, sub the broccoli for peppers to bring the heat and throw in some smoked pulled pork for a summer barbeque vibe! It is totally adaptable to your preference of veggies, protein, and even cheese allowing you to get creative and make it your own! At the moment, my family is partial to the Broccoli Cheddar Baked Mac and Cheese variety with it’s kid friendly nature (because that drives all of our life’s decisions lately).
If you don’t already have a cast iron skillet, let this recipe convince you that you need one! For this Broccoli Cheddar baked mac and cheese recipe I used a 10.25″ Lodge cast iron skillet making it the perfect thickness and awarding me the conveinece of throwing the skillet right into the oven (no transferring into a baking dish)! The ease of cooking this mac and cheese from start to finish in one pan adds volumes to it’s appeal… especially if you’re making it for the same “kid friendly” reason I am! Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious family friendly meal:
- Macaroni shells
- Broccoli (frozen or fresh)
- mixed cheese + mozzarella
- milk
- flour
- butter
- salt/pepper
- minced garlic
- optional: Bread crumbs, Chicken
That’s it – 8 simple ingredients and you have a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy! You may notice I used “frozen” broccoli… I’d like to use this time to enlighten you on the beauty and ease of frozen produce. Someone who used to spend 90% of her time in the fresh produce section pre-babies, stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables rarely crossed my mind as a viable cooking option. Now, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back! I always have a bag of frozen broccoli, spinach, berries, veggie medley’s, roasted corn, edamame, peppers… just to name a few. Less food waste, more options, and way easier! While most of my recent recipes include “frozen” produce, fresh will always do the job (and may even taste a bit better)!
Enough small talk, let’s get to the main course!
Broccoli Cheddar Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Time to cook: under 30 minutes | Serves: The family
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked Macaroni shells
- 2 cups Frozen Broccoli (fresh is fine too)
- 2 cups mixed cheese + handful mozzarella (for topping)
- 1 1/2 cup milk (whole recomended)
- 2 heaping Tbsp flour
- 3 Tbsp butter
- salt/pepper (to taste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- optional: Bread crumbs, Chicken
Directions:
- In a cast iron skillet, heat butter over medium high heat and bring to a slow simmer.
- Once butter reaches a simmer, whisk in flour until it becomes sludgy and fully combined (about 1 minute – this happens quick).
- Add milk, stir, and return to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the milk to a boil for about 1 minute and turn off heat.
- As soon as you turn off the heat, fold in the mixed cheese, cooked broccoli, and cooked macaroni shells (in that order). If it is not creamy enough for your liking, add more milk at this point and stir to combine!
- If you would like to add chicken, fold it in now! I would recomend pulled rotisserie chicken or my pulled beer chicken (recipe to this can be found on my instagram highlights under “crockpot recipes”).
- Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and shredded mozzarella.
- Throw the entire skillet in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes (until the cheese begins to bubble).
- serve while hot and creamy!
One more thing you must know about this masterpiece… it’s nearly impossible to mess up! Want it a little extra creamy? Add a bit more milk and cheese! Want it a little more rich? Add more butter! There are so many ways to make this recipe perfect for the people around your table.
Comfort food at it’s finest right here! But with broccoli, so it’s “healthier” right? I hope you’ll give this Broccoli Cheddar baked mac and cheese a try this week – it’s sure to be a hit (no matter how tiny and picky your eaters are)! If you do, I’d love to see your creation! Tag me on instagram @kelsiebrownblog and head to my highlights for more skillet recipe inspiration!
Kelsie
