Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Broccoli Casserole
- Recipe created by FabFood on Sep 9, 2008
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Recipe for Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Broccoli Casserole, a tasty one dish comfort food meal with a healthy addition of broccoli, perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter PLUS 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds broccoli, stems removed then peeled and cut into 1 inch lengths, florets broken up
- 1 pound pasta, 2 inch long tubular variety such as penne, ziti, mostaccioli, or rigatoni
- 6 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups freshly grated fontina cheese or mild white cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
Directions
- 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking casserole with 1 tablespoon butter.
- 2. Bring a large pot of abundantly salted water to a vigorous boil, then add the broccoli stems and cook for 4 minutes. Add the macaroni and cook for 3 minutes, then add the broccoli florets and cook until the macaroni is al dente or even a little harder, about 5 minutes. Drain well, and rinse under cold running water if you think the broccoli and the macaroni do not need any more cooking, otherwise, set them aside in a colander to Drain.
- 3. In a saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat, then add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, to form a roux, for about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the milk and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring the sauce to a boil, stirring. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for 3 minutes. Add 2 cups of cheese and once it has melted, continue to cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.
- 4. Mix the cheese sauce in a large bowl with the cooked macaroni and broccoli. Transfer to a casserole dish. Smooth the surface so it is even, sprinkle with the remaining cheese on top, then sprinkle on the breadcrumbs over and drizzle with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter on top. Bake until the top is crispy and slightly golden, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

