One-Pot Cheddar and Broccoli Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting baked pasta dish combining tender pasta, sharp cheddar, and vibrant broccoli florets in a creamy sauce, perfect for a kid-friendly dinner. This American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, broccoli florets, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz elbow macaroni and 2 cups broccoli florets, and cook for 6-7 minutes until pasta is al dente and broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat until foaming. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly and slightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 5-6 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder until smooth and melted.
  5. Step 5: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated, then sprinkle on top.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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