This homemade Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe is an elevated version of your childhood favorite. We’re talking about creamy, cheesy goodness infused with warm spices and loaded with broccoli for an extra pop of flavor and nutrition — it’s an ooey-gooey side dish or main course that everyone will adore!
Table of Contents
- Why Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Is a Must-Try Delight!
- Secret Ingredients to Elevate Your Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
- How to Craft the Perfect Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Optional Variations
- How to Store and Reheat
- Common Questions About This Easy Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
- More Magnificent Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
Why Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Is a Must-Try Delight!
Ditch the boxed mac and cheese and sneak in extra flavor and nutrients with this easy baked broccoli mac and cheese instead! An upgraded version of everyone’s favorite comfort food, it’s made with four different types of cheese and a variety of seasonings for a creamy texture and irresistible flavor that will blow your mind.
With minimal prep time required and a quick cook time, it has a total time of less than sixty minutes so you can have dinner prepared in no time. Plus, just ONE dish is required, making clean-up a breeze!
Serve it on its own or as a side dish with your favorite main courses. Either way, you really can’t go wrong!
Secret Ingredients to Elevate Your Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
You won’t find any powdered cheese in this recipe. Instead, we use fresh ingredients for a velvety texture and tender pasta that is absolutely to die for.
- Boursin Cheese Block – This is a type of flavored cream cheese that adds a savory, herbaceous taste.
- Pasta – Any pasta you like best can be used in this recipe!
- Garlic Cloves – For the best results, use whole fresh garlic cloves and mince them yourself.
- Cheddar Cheese – We use cubes of cheddar cheese and grated sharp cheddar for an unbeatable taste.
- Broccoli – Use fresh or frozen broccoli florets. Just make sure they’re thawed!
- Olive Oil – This helps add depth to the sauce.
- Vegetable Stock – Use low-sodium vegetable stock to cook the noodles and create a smooth sauce. Chicken stock also works!
- Seasonings – Red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt enhance the savoriness of the dish while adding just a hint of spice.
- Heavy Cream – This is our secret to creating the smoothest, creamiest cheese sauce you’ll ever taste! Plain, full-fat varieties are best.
How to Craft the Perfect Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
The easiest mac and cheese you’ll ever make, this recipe is super hands-off with just a little stirring required.
- Arrange. Place the Boursin cheese in the center of a large baking dish. Arrange the uncooked pasta, garlic, cubed cheddar, and broccoli around the Boursin. Drizzle the olive oil on top.
- Whisk. In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable stock and seasonings until well combined.
- Pour. Pour the stock over the ingredients in the baking dish, coating them evenly.
- Bake. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and transfer it to a preheated oven. Bake until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Melt. Add in the sharp cheddar cheese and heavy cream, stirring until the sauce is creamy. Return the dish uncovered to the oven, and continue to bake until the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve. Enjoy right away while warm!
Optional Variations
Feel free to mix and match any add-ins and toppings you like best to elevate the flavor even further or transform this broccoli mac and cheese into a complete meal. Some of our favorite variations include:
- Breadcrumbs. Add a sprinkle of buttered breadcrumbs before transferring the dish back to the often for a golden topping and slight crunch.
- Veggies. Mix in or swap out any veggies you have on hand! Peas, cauliflower, carrots, and mushrooms all taste great.
- Protein. Transform this side dish into a complete meal by stirring in your favorite protein such as ground turkey, beef, or chicken.
How to Store and Reheat
This recipe is best enjoyed right away while it’s still warm. However, if you do have leftovers they can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to three days.
Then, reheat them in the microwave or oven. We do not recommend freezing this recipe!
Common Questions About This Easy Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
Yes, combine the ingredients, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Then, just follow the instructions as normal, adding baking time as needed.
This recipe can be served as a side dish with all your favorite main courses! Some great family-friendly options include crispy baked chicken nuggets, slow cooker beef brisket, and turkey bell pepper sandwiches!
We have found that gluten-free noodles tend to get a little mushy in the oven, but they can be used!
More Magnificent Mac and Cheese Recipes
Want more mac and cheese in your life? We do too! Here are some of our other creamy, cheesy recipes:
- 15-Minute Hidden Veggie Green Mac and Cheese
- One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
- The Best Crockpot Mac and Cheese
- Truffle Mac and Cheese
Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Boursin cheese block
- 1 pound uncooked Gemelli pasta
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- In a large baking dish, place the Boursin cheese block in the center.1 Boursin cheese block
- Add the uncooked pasta, finely chopped garlic, cubed cheddar cheese, and chopped broccoli to the baking dish with the Boursin cheese. Drizzle the olive oil on top.1 pound uncooked Gemelli pasta, 4 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese, 2 cups chopped broccoli, 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable stock, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.4 cups vegetable stock, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Pour the seasoned vegetable stock mixture over the pasta, garlic, cheese, and broccoli in the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring the pasta gently after 15 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and stir in the sharp Cheddar cheese and heavy cream until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.3/4 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your desired level of tenderness and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy broccoli and cheddar pasta bake!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Equipment
Would you like to save this? 🔖
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
can you sub water for stock?
saw you said gluten free noodles get mushy…bummer…I might try anyways. Looks like from others it will have to bake longer than you instructed.
Sure, it just won’t be quite as flavorful. We’d love to know how it goes if you do give it a try!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I followed the recipe exactly, until the end. After 30 minutes in the oven covered with foil (I did mix after 15 minutes), it was very soupy and the noodles were still too firm. I left it covered, returned to the oven for 20 minutes and…..wow, it was perfect!!!!! No more soupy liquid and pasta was perfectly el dente! I did warm up my heavy cream for 30 sec at 50% power so it wouldn’t curdle when added to the hot dish. Another 15 minutes uncovered as the recipe said and it was absolutely delicious!!!!!
We’re so glad it turned out well for you, Cindy! Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to leave a review. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Which flavor of Boursin cheese do you use for this recipe??
We typically use garlic and herb, but any flavor you like best will work!
Not done yet. Still
In oven bc it looks mega watery even if i followed recipe to the T
Smells good but its soup.
Crossing fingers
How did it turn out for you, Ana?
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
too much cream, spoils it. Takes away flavour makes it rather sickly.
It’s a half a cup🤷♀️ not a big deal….