Broccoli Cheese Cauliflower Mac with Fun Shapes
Broccoli Cheese Cauliflower Mac with Fun Shapes
Ingredients
For the Mac & Veggies
- 2 cups pasta, uncooked, fun shapes like cavatappi or rotini
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 teaspoon salt, for boiling water
For the Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground, optional
For the Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, steam or boil the cauliflower and broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked pasta, cauliflower, and broccoli to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Pour the macaroni and veggie mixture into the prepared baking dish. If using a topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the topping (if used) is golden brown and crisp.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Let the Broccoli Cheese Cauliflower Mac stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Broccoli Cheese Cauliflower Mac with Fun Shapes
Ingredients
For the Mac & Veggies
- 2 cups pasta, uncooked, fun shapes like cavatappi or rotini
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 teaspoon salt, for boiling water
For the Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground, optional
For the Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, steam or boil the cauliflower and broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked pasta, cauliflower, and broccoli to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Pour the macaroni and veggie mixture into the prepared baking dish. If using a topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the topping (if used) is golden brown and crisp.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Let the Broccoli Cheese Cauliflower Mac stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 5 min