One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar
A kid-friendly pasta bake featuring tender broccoli florets and melted cheddar cheese, all cooked in one pot for easy prep and cleanup. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, broccoli florets, shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 8 oz elbow macaroni. Cook for 6 minutes until slightly under al dente, then add 2 cups broccoli florets and cook together for 2 more minutes until broccoli is tender but bright green. Drain the pasta and broccoli thoroughly.
- Step 2: In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly and lightly golden to form a roux.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder, then add 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely into the sauce.
- Step 5: Return the drained macaroni and broccoli to the pot and stir gently to coat everything evenly with the cheese sauce.
- Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x9-inch baking dish and bake for 15 minutes until the top is bubbling and lightly golden. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Broccoli Pasta Bake with Cheddar?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
