This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This tasty Broccoli Mac and Cheese makes a delicious side dish or a light dinner full of veggies. Peas are optional but recommended! A wonderful twist on classic Macaroni and Cheese.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese | Kid Friendly!
In an effort to be a good Mom and make a meal that consisted of more than toast, cereal, pb&j, and quesadillas, I put a quick little pasta dish together for my little one and I. Broccoli Mac and Cheese has her name written all over it. Short-cut pasta, broccoli, peas, and cheese are four of her favorites foods she won’t put up a fight to eat.
This pasta is yummy, easy and will make the kiddies happy.
Main Ingredients Needed
Really simple recipe here that uses minimal ingredients for amazing results! Here’s what you need for Broccoli Mac and Cheese:
- Olive Oil + Butter – I used both to saute the garlic and broccoli for flavor and to lower the smoking point.
- Garlic + Broccoli – these two are cooked together for maximum flavor!
- Frozen Peas – these are already cooked peas that are frozen, so all you really have to do is warm these through.
- Elbow Pasta – any pasta will do here, I just kept it traditional by using the elbow shape.
- Parmesan Cheese – use the real stuff that you grate yourself for best results.
- Salt + Pepper – season to taste.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese Variations
Feel free to change up this simple recipe to suit your needs. Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Add Protein: Leftover chicken would be perfect for a meal like this.
- Use Different Cheese: I used parmesan but feel free to use a white cheddar or whatever kind of cheese you like best.
- Make a Sauce: Or if you are looking for something saucy check out my classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe and adapt away!
How to Make Broccoli Mac and Cheese
For full details on how to make Broccoli Mac and Cheese, see the recipe card down below 🙂
Saute Broccoli
Start by mincing some garlic and chopping up some broccoli.
Your florets can be big or small. Mine were on the bigger side because I felt like not taking the time to chop them smaller. Get the garlic and broccoli into a big skillet and saute in a little olive oil and butter.
Cook Pasta
In the mean time, cook a little pasta. I had this in the fridge from the other night when I made this, but if you don’t have precooked macaroni on hand, start boiling some water.
Toss Ingredients
Once you have your pasta is all done, toss it into that pan with some frozen peas. I love these little guys!
Once the peas get heated through, add in the broccoli and grate in some real Parmigiano Reggiano, salt, and pepper. Use as much cheese as you like! As you can see, I used a truckload. Stir this all up and voila!
Serve it up and that’s it! Makes for a great side dish or light vegetarian dinner.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes to Try!
If you loved this broccoli mac and cheese, be sure to check out these other recipes!
- Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Camping Mac and Cheese
- Pimento Mac and Cheese
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
The printable recipe card is down below, enjoy 🙂
Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by mincing some garlic and chopping up some broccoli.Your florets can be big or small. Mine was on the bigger side because I felt like not taking the time to chop them smaller. Get the garlic and broccoli into a big skillet and saute in a little olive oil and butter.
- In the meantime, cook a little pasta. I had this in the fridge from the other night when I made this, but if you don't have pre-cooked macaroni on hand, start boiling some water.
- Once you have your pasta is all done, toss it into that pan with some frozen peas. I love these little guys!Once the peas get heated through, add in the broccoli and grate in some real Parmigiano Reggiano, salt, and pepper. Use as much cheese as you like! As you can see, I used a truckload. Stir this all up and voila!Serve it up and that's it! Makes for a great side dish or light vegetarian dinner.
I liked making this. Easy. I didn’t have fresh cheese, I used parmesan packets. I added chicken bouillon, thyme, crushed red pepper and sea salt to the water I boiled it in. Reserving a couple tbsps to add to the pot during the sauting of the florets. Also I didn’t have frozen peas but I wanted something sweet like the peas would have been, so I used canned beets, chopped, leftover from the beet soup I made yesterday. I added dried parsley to the drained pasta too. I love the color it adds, plus it’s a super food:). All in all, I was happy with this recipe and look forward to trying it again with peas!
If you use frozen peas and cook them until they are just “warm”, you have warm, raw peas. Is this what you mean??
This pasta has saved my sanity. Feeding my son after 2 hr swim practices every night was driving me crazy. How to get a good balance of foods into him, and oh, it had to be quick to cook. I add diced, plain grilled chicken to the dish to get some protein in. It comes together so fast ( I now keep pasta and cooked chicken in the fridge so everything is ready to go when we get home) . He LOVES it! I have been powering him up with it a couple of times a week. And, he even requested it during his latest competition weekend. What a find! Thanks for the great recipe!
I just made this – instead of garlic I substituted Italian seasoning, and I also added green peppers. It was absolutely fantastic! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Ooh, sounds yummy! I’ll have to try it that way!
Your website has made one first-time-without-a-meal-plan college student very happy. This is the first thing I’ve attempted to make (I’m eating it right now), and if all your recipes are this good, you’ve got a long-term reader.
P.S. Nice name!
[…] source […]
[…] source […]
Lol, Lauren – – terrible three’s, she looks like such an angel 😉 lol that’s how they get you… She’s definitely a cutie. Happy Birthday to your little one.
This pasta, has MY name written all over it. Simple. Delicious. Comforting – – yes please.
Oh my word…I just found your blog and may never leave the kitchen again! You have some amazing recipes that I can’t wait to try! First up, Southwest Fried Eggs and then on to many more!
Simple and Delicious. Happy Birthday to your daughter!!
Looks like good comfort food!
She is such a doll!!!!
Mac and cheese is my fave 🙂
Looks perfect 😀
This pasta is not just for kids, I’d happily eat a huge bowl!
What a sweet picture of your daughter! This looks so good. I have to try this with my little ones! They would love it.
SOOOO simple, so genius! I love it!
So funny – this combo is a hit with my kids too! Your daughter is adorable…good luck with the terrible 3’s, they totally took me off guard too! The terrible two’s myth needs to be debunked once and for all – when they’re 3 they have OPINIONS. 🙂
Why does this seem so original when it has normal great stuff in it? Great idea! BTW, I need more pics of this little 3-year-old!
Looks so delicious and healthy… I loveeeeee broccoli mac and cheese, peas would be yummy too!!
I wish we ate such pasta’s when we were kiddos — that looks so yummy 🙂
Happy Birthday to your sweet princess 🙂
First of all, your daughter is adorable and looks just like you! Second, this sounds delicious.
Your daughter is beautiful! And what a great pasta for her 🙂
I totally hear you on the terrible 3s! I think our dauthers would get along well – Abbi loves mac and cheese, and broccoli is almost the only veggie she’ll eat. She’ll occasionally eat peas, so I bet she’d be in heaven with this!
Do you have 46,249 spoons? Because that’s what I’ll require for this. omg.
Love this!! I love simple meals…she looked like she had a very happy birthday!! Can’t wait to see you week after next!
I get to go do some restaurant research…my favorite kind!! 🙂
For some reason i thought you stayed at home. What do you do?
She is so cute! Happy birthday to your sweet little girl!
This looks fantastic! I hope that you have a restful weekend. Happy Friday! 🙂
You have a beautiful daughter! Makes the terrible three’s easier to deal with I’m sure 🙂 And what a good Mom making a healthy pasta dish. Happy Birthday to your little one!
This looks like a great, comforting dinner!