Monday, March 28, 2011

House Special Mac N' Cheese with Broccoli

One Perfect Bite was featured in the Sunday Brunch Segment of Amuse Bouche, the blog associated with the magazine Where Women Cook. It you're interested, the feature can be seen here.




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This recipe was written for a competition that's disappeared from the radar. When the economy went south, some cooking contests were discontinued and the prize structures of others were drastically changed. A lot of us have recipes sitting in limbo as a result. This is one of my captives. The dish is a favorite of Bob's and he asked me to make it for dinner one night this week. I honestly had forgotten how good it is, but when I made it tonight I knew I'd have to share the recipe with you. It would be a perfect dish for Meatless Monday. It really is not hard to do and if you like macaroni and cheese with a twist, I really think you'll enjoy this. The dish is a combination of two old favorites, one is a cheesy broccoli soup and the other, of course, is a creamy mac n' cheese. While it bakes in the oven and forms a crust, this remains a creamy, rather than dry, mac n' cheese. That will be off putting to some, but I hope most of you will take a look at the recipe and give it a try. This is very straight forward dish and I have no cautions regarding its construction. If you like macaroni, cheese and broccoli, you're in for a taste treat. Here's the recipe for my house macaroni special.

House Special Mac N' Cheese with Broccoli...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/4 cup flour
3 cups milk, divided use
1 pound fresh broccoli florets cut into small pieces
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces Colby cheese, shredded
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces small elbow macaroni
Topping
3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
6 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese

Directions:
1) Add water to a large pot and set to boil. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a large gratin dish (9 x 13-inch) or 6 individual casserole dishes. Set aside.
2) Melt butter in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add onions and carrots and saute until vegetables are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, bring 2 cups milk to a simmer. Add broccoli and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Break broccoli into small pieces with a spoon.
4) Add flour to carrot and onion mixture and cook for 2 minutes without allowing it to brown. Slowly whisk in reserved 1 cup milk. Whisk in cream. Add milk and broccoli to sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
5) Add garlic powder, salt, pepper and both cheeses to sauce and stir until cheese has melted. Reduce heat and keep warm.
6) Add macaroni to boiling water and cook until just tender. Drain and add to sauce mixture. Transfer to gratin dish or individual casseroles. Top with breadcrumbs and cheese.
7) Bake until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Stove Top Mac and Cheese - I'll Have What She's Having
Crock-Pot Mac N'Cheese - Cookistry
Spinach Macaroni and Cheese - The Recipe Girl
Baked Macaroni and Pimento Cheese - Drick's Rambling Cafe
Beefed Up Mac and Cheese - Real Mom Kitchen
Baked Macaroni and Cheese - The Galley Kitchen
Three Cheese Baked Macaroni - Culinary in the Country
Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese - Coconut and Lime
Bacon, Macaroni and Cheese - Our Life in the Kitchen
Green Chili Macaroni and Cheese - Vino Luci Style
Crab Mac and Cheese - Closet Cooking
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese - Life's Ambrosia
Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese - Squirrel Bakes
Truffled Mac N' Cheese - One Perfect Bite
Game Day Chili Mac Skillet - One Perfect Bite
Goat Herder's Mac N' Cheese - One Perfect Bite

This post is being lined to Meatless Monday's at My Sweet and Savory

85 comments :

Anonymous said...

I keep meaning to try a baked mac n' cheese recipe. This might fit the bill. It looks delicious!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love broccoli, mac and cheese, and broccoli cheese soup, and this looks like them all in one dish!!! I bet it tastes divine! I noticed the other day that Panera Bread is selling their broccoli cheese soup in the grocery store freezer.

Susan said...

This looks delicious, Mary! I can't wait to try it.

Beloved Green said...

I love broccoli with any kind of pasta, but add in cheese and it is an instant hit in my home.

Jeannie said...

Looks delicious, but I fear to embark on another pasta dish...not good for my ever expanding waist line! I shall just drool over your perfect photos:)

jaclyn @ thelateafternoon said...

this dish basically combines a few of my favorite foods - cheese, pasta, and broccoli! you can't go wrong with baked mac and cheese - yum!

Katerina said...

I know what you mean. This is definitely a comfort, honest meal anyone enjoys in the family!

spontaneous-euphoria said...

looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea, and have used it to sneak in vegies for the kids! We also have a problem with disappearing competitions! Have a great day :)

MaryMoh said...

Perfect comfort food. Looks irresistible! Hope you have a wonderful day.

Priya Suresh said...

Tempting dish, love the addition of broccoli,sounds interesting..

Manu said...

Oh sounds so yummy! I've got all ingredients, I'll give it a go tonight!LOL

Big Dude said...

Looks delicious Mary. There are many M&C's out there with lot's of fancy cheeses, but it's hard to beat good ole colby and cheddar.

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Beautifull dish and so tempting also!!!
Congrats on beeing featured in the Sunday Brunch Segment of Amuse Bouche !!!!

Kisses,
Rita

Debbie said...

Oh, if that doesn't look delicious than I don't know what does. Please pass a dish of this my way!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've got to start thumbing through your Meatless Monday archives!

What's next said...

Looks wonderful!

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

yummy recipe..absolutely delicious..
Tasty Appetite

Sense of Home Kitchen said...

Well Mary, my husband like mac and cheese and this looks like a tasty way to make it healthier. Thanks for sharing your contest ready recipe.

-Brenda

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

I just braised mushroom and broccoli for dinner today, yours look so delicious.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Adding veggies to my favourite mac and cheese would bring me all the comfort in the world.

Anonymous said...

mmm, i LOVE mac & cheese! (ok, mostly the cheese part!). i can't wait to try this!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness this looks TOO GOOD FOR WORDS! Glad you got some green in there too - makes a complete dish! YUM, thanks Mary!

Unknown said...

What a nice little feature of your blog! She did pick some good recipes to highlight :)
Mac & cheese is my all time favorite meal..and it's the only time I'll actually eat cooked broccoli!!

Karen Harris said...

Make my mac and cheese creamy please! I love this recipe Mary. I've got a couple of mac and cheese recipes tucked away too. I hope that someday some of our favorite contests return.

Renee Paj said...

Congrats on your feature Mary!

Pasta, cheese, and broccoli....natural taste partners!

Viv said...

ive never had a homemade version of mac n cheese before....im salivating just looking at it at this time of the night...hunggrrryy! thanks for sharing this recipe of yours!

Alchemy In The Kitchen said...

Hi Mary, congrats on the article. It's a stunning Mac n Cheese. Isn't it the food equivalent of a big fat hug! Also thanks for your lovely comments on my blog - you are so encouraging.

SnoWhite said...

This looks fabulous, Mary!! Congrats on the feature too.

I love the links you include at the end of your blog post -- do you hunt those down, or is it a plug-in of sorts?

Gloria Baker said...

Mary I love this type of dish, look delicious, have a lovely day gloria

claire said...

Looks amazing! I cant wait to try this!

Suman Singh said...

Mav N' cheese looks wonderful n delicious..congrats on being featured...

June said...

Wow - congratulations Mary on being featured. Couldn't possibly happen to anyone more deserving! I'm so happy for you!

Barbara said...

Mary, I think you've given us a recipe for a healthy mac and cheese! At the very least perhaps a way to sneak some veggies into our kids and grandkids! :)

As for me, it sounds ideal and perfect for meatless Mondays. A combo of Colby and cheddar sounds good.
The last mac and cheese I made I used gruyere and cheddar and the grandkids didn't like it much! Perhaps the gruyere is too adult for their palates?

Receitas para a Felicidade said...

Mary, this is another good recipe, looks so good my dear, because i love brocolli and cheese... i have to try it some day ,

kisses with my friendship

nanny said...

I love them all....this looks like a special dish!!! For a holiday table!

Pam said...

You can't feel guilty eating this mac n cheese because it has broccoli in it! Great idea Mary!

David said...

Mary, My kind of dish! ...and I'll get my veggies too. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

lena said...

congrats on the feature, the dishes there look so attractive and so is this comforting dish....creamy and cheesy!

Miriam said...

Ooo, I can practically taste it now, how delectable! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

RamblingTart said...

You made me so happy with this recipe today, Mary! :-) I've been craving a really GOOD mac and cheese recipe and this one is just what I was hoping for. :-)

That Girl said...

Broccoli is a great addition to mac and cheese

Rita said...

Very clever Mary; with broccoli it makes mac and cheees so much healthier; gotta try this.
Rita

Shelley said...

One of my childhood favorites was a cheesy broccoli casserole. My second fave was mac-n-cheese. Cheesy broccoli mac sounds like the best of both worlds!

Karen said...

Mary, this is heaven on a plate (as are your butterscotch molten lava cakes)! I love oven baked dishes with a nice crust and a creamy body. I am putting this dish on my list!

Joanne said...

Congrats on the feature Mary! I've always loved adding broccoli to my mac and cheese and this sounds so decadently delicious!

Jennifer said...

Two of my very favorite things YUM!

Gen said...

This is a nice way to eat brocolis!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I DO like macaroni and cheese with a twist...this sounds marvelous!

Choclette said...

Mary, this sounds completely delicious. To my shame I've never made macaroni cheese, although I was bought up on it. I make cauliflower cheese all the time. So now, I will not only make macaroni cheese, I will make your version because it sounds grand with the broccoli in too.

Wendy Irene said...

It is wonderful you have included broccoli with the creamy mac n cheese. Mac n Cheese is such a great comfort food and I love any opportunity to increase veggies in my family’s diet.

Only Fish Recipes said...

first time here...wow...you hav such a wonderful blog with a varied collection of recipes.....I would love to pass on an award galore to u.Do visit my blog and accept it !

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

Mm mm mmmmm! Love this!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

pam said...

Oh, I'm definitely giving it a try! And thank you so much for your kind comments about Scrappycat.

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

I love the combination of pasta and broccoli, especially when accompanied with a creamy sauce and cheese. This looks exquisite and I know my family would gobble this up without hesitation :o)

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Love the added vegetables to the baked mac n cheese. Looks delicious, definitely a winner!

Victor said...

I love mac and cheese. Looks delicious Mary!

Angela said...

Ooh, I like this! Add some veggies to my indugence - always good. I am trying to decide what to bake for a competition and would really appreciate your vote if you don't mind stopping by my blog.

Anonymous said...

Oh, this sounds so good and I think I see a glimpse of a blue Currier and Ives plate in that first photo. I have my mom's set of C & I dishes.

Claudia said...

I think you upped the ante with your macaroni and cheese. Such cheese goodness and then throwing in the broccoli for good measure and making it a broccoli cheese soup AND mac 'n cheese is deliciously clever.

Susan Lindquist said...

I swear ... someone must do a cook book that has nothing but different mac&cheese recipes! This would surely make the cut! We always have broccoli with mac & cheese ... this just puts it right in there! Neat!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Mac and Cheese is my favorite food group - and a healthy dose of broccoli as well! Two reasons to request it for dinner!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I'm reporting that I tried your Mac and Cheese and it came out great and delicious! We loved it! Thank you again, I'll be checking for more of your wonderful recipes!
FABBY

Alessandra said...

Congratulation Mary, and lovely broccoli!

ciao
Alessandra

Elin Chia said...

Mary...this is a wonderful cheesy dish. Love it and with brocolli in in...shall try making this one weekend :) Thanks for sharing such a delicious dish.

Have a blessed day Mary,
Elin

penny aka jeroxie said...

Love mac n cheese! comfort food.

scrambledhenfruit said...

I do love the sound of this macaroni and cheese, Mary! The broccoli in it sounds delicious!

Little Inbox said...

Hmm...Mac and Cheese smell incredible!

La Bella Cooks said...

Congratulations on your feature, Mary! Well deserved as always. I love the healthy aspect of the broccoli in this decadent dish. Lovely!

Unknown said...

oooh.. i've made something like this, only reduced fat. this looks amazing! i love all american comfort food and adding broccoli to mac & cheese is a simple justification as to why I can enjoy this classic comfort. :-) Love it! You have a great blog, Mary.

Mamatkamal said...

I've never tried broccoli with mac and cheese. I bet it tastes delicious! Have a great day Mary,

Katarina said...

I like the idea of adding veggies to this dish!

Elaine said...

This is a total comfort good meal. My husband would love this with the addition of the broccoli. My daughter is coming for a visit and I know that she would love this one as well!

Cooking Creation said...

You know, not to complain or anything but your recipes have been hogging up most of my bookmark slots recently :) I can't wait to taste this one!

Unknown said...

First I have to say I LOVE the photo on your homepage. WOW! Bright & colorful.

I just wanted to let you know about my "Made it on Monday" recipe link party, on my blog:

http://larkscountryheart.blogspot.com

You can link up your recipes every Wed.-Sat. :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations for been featured, you always sharing delicious food!

Xoxo
Charo

Julia @ DimpleArts said...

Congratulations on being featured! I LOVE LOVE mac' n cheese and have already bookmarked your recipe to try out later.

Catherine said...

Mac and Cheese does not last long around here! Mary yours looks wonderful. Blessings, Catherine

Anonymous said...

This is a recipe that I make over and over again. Everyone loves it and I love that it is such a basic, simple menu staple...I mean, who wouldn't love this dish?

pigpigscorner said...

I have to convince my hubs to let me cook mac and cheese one day. This looks fab!

Lucie said...

This is the best kind of comfort food, Mary. Just looking at it makes me feel good!

Eliana said...

I've never met a mac 'n cheese I didn't like. If I had this one in front of me I would gobble it up.

Ami's Vegetarian said...

Hi Mary, Thanks for visiting my blog. This Mac n cheese with broccoli looks very yummy and delicious. I've never tried this. hoping to try it soon.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

Mary, thanks for linking this to My Meatless Mondays. I am featuring it tomorrow. I am looking forward to making it and enjoying it for myself.

Marina Momotok said...

Hi Mary, I love your blog (new follower) my son is gonna love this recipe, since mac n cheese is his favorite. Thanks for sharing :)
You can visit me at:
http://eatandtheneatsomemore.blogspot.com

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