Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (2024)

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by Todd + Diane

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (1)This recipe was originally published in 2012 and was updated & republished in 2020 with a new video.

Aside from a bowl of hot, brothy noodles, no other dish comforts me more than a bowl of mac and cheese. Since I developed my one pot stove top mac and cheese recipe, I’ve made it easier to stuff my face silly with cheesy-happiness. But to alleviate some of the calorie guilt of inhaling 3 bowls, I think of greens.

Oh yes, broccoli-greens-healthier-better-eat more. This sounds like a rational formula to eating Mac and cheese a few times a week. I love giving myself excuses for eating more by adding something, anything and always green. favorite colors as a kid so all this makes sense.Feeling so inspired, I googled to find a broccoli mac and cheese recipe. Lo and behold, I found this one by Gina.

Video : Skinny Broccoli Mac and Cheese


Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (2)

Light Mac and Cheese Recipe with Broccoli

A skinny mac and cheese recipe by a skinny girl? Oh yes, I’m all for it. I feel healthier already. Gina’s recipe looked amazing with the chicken broth for less fat and lots of flavor.Off I go into my kitchen make an inspired skinny mac an cheese. As I assemble my ingredients I notice I already lost the skinny battle.Per Gina’s recipe, I don’t have any fat free chicken broth. Ok, so my version will be a little less skinny.

Oh wait, I don’t have skim milk. Maybe my version won’t be so skinny.And I used more Parmesan cheese cause my brain doesn’t comprehend anything below one cup of Parmesan cheese. Now, let’s just forget the skinny.Fine, alright, ok. My version isn’t so skinny anymore but it’s darn delicious and it’s got extra broccoli in it! Gina’s recipe is wonderful and for those of you who have a healthier stocked kitchen than I do, then her version is for you.

For the rest of you, here’s my Not So Skinny broccoli Mac and cheese recipe.

Broccoli power,

diane

cook mac pasta a little firm, al dente so that after baking, the texture is perfect

This was originally published in 2012 and was updated & republished in 2020.

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (6)

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

Yield: 8 Servings

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Slightly adapted from Gina's Skinny Broccoli Mac and Cheese. I used more parmesan cheese because I just love it to death. Try cooking the pasta a little al dente (firm) so that after baking in the oven, the pasta becomes the perfect bite and texture. If you wanted to add more richness or flavor, just add more cheese.

5 from 3 votes

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Ingredients

  • 16 oz (453 g) dried elbow macaroni , cooked to pkg. instructions, but leaving them a little firm
  • 2 medium (2 medium) heads fresh broccoli (14-16oz), but in small bite size pieces
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) butter , or olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) flour
  • 1 (1) small onion , minced
  • 3 cloves (3 cloves) garlic , minced (optional)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) chicken or vegetable broth , or stock
  • 2 cups (226 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • about 1/2 cup of extra cheese for topping
  • 1/4 cup (27 g) bread crumbs
  • 3/4 teaspoon (3.7 ml) kosher salt and black pepper , or to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.Grease a large 9 x 12 baking dish.

  • In large pot, boil water and cook pasta to instructions, but leaving pasta a little al dente. About 3 minutes before draining pasta, add broccoli to cook in water alongside pasta. I like my broccoli a little firm, so that it doesn't end up mushy after the bake. You can decide how cooked you want your broccoli by adding it in sooner.

  • While pasta is cooking prepare the cheese and milk mixture. In large pot on medium heat, add butter/oil, onions and garlic. Cook until soft, then add flour. Stir flour quickly to combine the flour and onion rue mixture. Add milk and broth/stock.

  • Allow mixture to come to a boil and sauce will thicken. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Drain your cooked pasta and broccoli and add to cheese mixture. Gently mix together and pour into baking dish. Add extra cheese and bread crumbs on top.

  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted with a nice crust.

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 415kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 498mg, Potassium: 734mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 1335IU, Vitamin C: 137mg, Calcium: 302mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian, Oven

Calories: 415

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Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (7)

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37 comments on “Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe- A not so skinny version”

  1. Candace May 4, 2020 @ 9:40 pm Reply

    We made this recipe with the kids (who aren’t too keen on veggies) and they absolutely loved it! This is now our favorite mac & cheese recipe!Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (10)

  2. Kris May 4, 2020 @ 12:09 pm Reply

    What is the name of your diet recipe page? I forgot it and can’t find it linked here or on your personal page. Thanks!

    • May 9, 2020 @ 10:45 am Reply

      Hi Kris, we have a low carb recipe site here. Thanks! EatBetterRecipes.com

Leave a Reply

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe that's Skinny, Healthier and Less Rich (2024)

FAQs

How do you thin out mac and cheese? ›

Side Note: Unlike its baked counterpart, stovetop macaroni and cheese is much easier to fix when too dry. If it looks too thick on the stovetop, splash in a few tablespoons of milk while still on the heat. Be careful to add a little at a time to avoid loosening the sauce too much or splitting it.

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

Nutrition Information
NutrientsAmount
Total Calories287
Total Fat4 g
Saturated Fat2 g
Cholesterol12 mg
10 more rows

Is milk or water better for mac and cheese? ›

You most definitely can use water in place of milk in any pasta recipe including mac and cheese. It is how I make mine, in fact, and it is just as healthy and delicious. The thing is that it will make it not as creamy and perhaps less thick.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

How do you make mac and cheese less thick? ›

Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of milk and mix until the sauce has loosened up. (This is also a great trick for reheating mac and cheese - if you're microwaving leftovers and the sauce seems to have dried up, stir a splash of milk or half-and-half into the pasta to bring the sauce back to life!)

What is the trick to keeping mac and cheese creamy? ›

This can be done many different ways. Some of the most common is using Evaporated Milk, the Pasta Water, make a Mornay Sauce, or use American Cheese. Evaporated Milk relies on the high concentration of micelles (milk proteins) to keep the sauce smooth.

Is broccoli and cheese healthy for weight loss? ›

The best part about broccoli and cheese is that they both are very low in carbohydrates, which makes them an ideal ingredient for a keto diet. From Cottage Cheese to Parmesan Cheese, 5 Types of This Dairy Product That One Should Eat! Both broccoli and cheese are effective weight loss ingredients.

Is mac and cheese healthy for a diet? ›

Are mac and cheese healthy, yes or no? Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese tends to be unhealthy because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium from butter, cheese, and milk. Additionally, it is calorie-dense and not ideal for those trying to lose weight.

How many calories are in homemade broccoli and cheese? ›

Broccoli With Cheese Sauce (1 cup) contains 16g total carbs, 11.2g net carbs, 15.4g fat, 12.2g protein, and 242 calories.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese.
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt.
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. There's a reason why elbow macaroni is the classic shape for macaroni and cheese. ...
  4. Overcooking. No one wants grainy cheese sauce and mushy pasta. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Why is evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is it better to use evaporated milk or regular milk in mac and cheese? ›

It will be richer and creamier. It's actually a very good substitute for regular milk. I've often used evaporated milk in mac&cheese which makes it better than milk. Both heavy cream and evaporated milk are much better in mashed potatoes, too!

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What black chef invented mac and cheese? ›

You can thank James Hemings, the enslaved chef of Thomas Jefferson, for the mac and cheese on your table. The truth behind America's favorite cheesy pasta dish.

How do you fix too much liquid in mac and cheese? ›

If you end up having too much liquid in your macaroni and cheese, bring the contents back to a boil and cook until the desired consistency.

How do you keep cheese sauce liquid? ›

You have to keep a cheese sauce warm in a pot of simmering water or it turns rubbery as it cools. This happens with the starch in any thickened sauce.

How do you thin out cheese sauce? ›

If you wish for it to be thicker, bring the cheese sauce to a slight boil and then remove it from the heat. If you want to thin it out a bit, add more milk. But do it sloooowly. Now it is ready to enjoy!

How do you thin out cheese? ›

For dips, you'll want to use a tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese, then add at least five ounces of evaporated milk. After that, you can use more evaporated milk to thin out your dip as much as you need.

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