Description
Make a creamy, sharp cheddar macaroni and cheese at home that tastes just like your favorite café version, featuring tender broccoli florets in a velvety cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup fresh broccoli florets, small
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, steam the broccoli florets until they are tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, dry mustard, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring often, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts completely into the sauce.
- Add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Fold the cooked macaroni and the steamed broccoli into the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately for the creamiest texture.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese from a block; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- Keep the milk warm before adding it to the roux to prevent lumps from forming in your sauce.
- For a tangier flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the Monterey Jack with an equal amount of Gruyère cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 95