Indulge in a culinary delight with our tantalizing Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese, a harmonious blend of creamy, cheesy goodness, smoky bacon, and vibrant broccoli florets. This crowd-pleasing dish is not just a meal; it's an experience that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Discover the secrets behind this irresistible combination and elevate your mac and cheese game to new heights. In addition to the classic recipe, we've included variations to suit every palate, including a luscious lobster mac and cheese and a vegetarian-friendly version that celebrates the flavors of roasted red peppers and spinach. Whether you prefer a traditional or a contemporary twist, our collection of recipes offers something for every mac and cheese enthusiast. So, gather your ingredients and embark on a culinary journey that promises satisfaction with every bite.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BROCCOLI AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the broccoli during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; reserve the drippings in the pan.
- Add the scallion whites, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the saucepan. Cook until slightly softened, 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and mustard; cook, whisking, until the flour is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and reserved pasta water. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheeses; cook, whisking, until creamy, about 2 more minutes.
- Stir the pasta, broccoli and Canadian bacon into the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the scallion greens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 498 calorie, Fat 20 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Cholesterol 60 milligrams, Sodium 821 milligrams, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 27 grams
BACON-BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
Take normal mac and cheese to the next level with steamed broccoli, crispy bacon and Gouda and cheddar cheeses.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time. Meanwhile, cook broccoli as directed on package.
- In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings. Cook shallots in bacon drippings over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until mixture boils and thickens.
- Remove from heat. Add 2 cups of the Cheddar cheese and the Gouda cheese; stir until melted. Stir in cooked macaroni and broccoli and crumbled bacon. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with crushed crackers and remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered 15 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 650, Carbohydrate 61 g, Fat 1/2, Fiber 5 g, Protein 33 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1470 mg
ONE-POT BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
In the time it takes to make boxed macaroni and cheese, you can have a homemade version that's creamy with lots of sharp Cheddar, studded with broccoli and doesn't require making a roux. Instead, the sauce is thickened by the pasta's starch: As the noodles cook in milk, the milk thickens to the consistency of cream and the pasta absorbs the seasonings. Here, that's garlic powder, but you could also use mustard powder, ground cayenne or grated nutmeg like in traditional mac and cheese. The broccoli pieces end up soft and sweet, but if you want more bite, add them halfway through cooking.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, weekday, pastas, vegetables, main course, side dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large pot or skillet, combine the macaroni, broccoli, milk, salt and garlic powder. Add 3 cups of water, and stir to combine. (The pasta may not be fully submerged. That's OK!) Bring to an active simmer over medium-high. Reduce the heat to medium to gently simmer. Cook, stirring often to ensure even cooking and to keep things from sticking to the bottom of the pot, until the pasta is tender, and the liquid resembles heavy cream and coats the noodles, 8 to 12 minutes. If the liquid evaporates so much that you don't see any between noodles, add 1/2 cup water. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat!
BACON-BROCCOLI MAC & CHEESE BITES
Whip up some Bacon-Broccoli Mac & Cheese Bites to share as an appetizer at your next gathering. These miniature Bacon-Broccoli Mac & Cheese Bites are filled with the ooey gooey deliciousness of macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon and broccoli.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Dairy
Time 35m
Yield 15 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400ºF.
- Prepare Dinner as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 min. Stir in bacon, onions and eggs.
- Spoon into 30 greased mini muffin pan cups; top with shredded cheese.
- Bake 8 to 10 min. or until golden brown. Cool slightly before removing from pans.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 380 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0.6797 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 7 g
CHEESY BROCCOLI MACARONI
You'll need just four ingredients to fix this macaroni and cheese that gets extra flavor from broccoli and bacon. "It's a quick and easy dish, and it makes a nice lunch or side dish for supper," assures Dorothy Pritchett of Wills Point, Texas.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook broccoli according to package directions until crisp-tender; drain. Add the cheese; cook and stir over medium-low heat until cheese is melted. , Drain macaroni; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with bacon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 391 calories, Fat 17g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 762mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
CHEESY BROCCOLI-BACON MAC AND CHEESE BITES
Whip up a batch of Cheesy Broccoli-Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites for your next party! Convenient mac and cheese bites with broccoli and bacon are perfect for diners of all ages!
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Appetizers & Snacks
Time 37m
Yield 36 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400ºF.
- Prepare Dinner in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli to the Macaroni cooking water for the last 2 min. Meanwhile, cook bacon and yellow onions in large skillet on medium heat 8 to 10 min. or until bacon is crisp.
- Add bacon mixture to prepared Dinner along with the egg; mix well. Spoon into 36 mini muffin pan cups sprayed with cooking spray, adding about 2 Tbsp. to each. Top with fried onions and shredded cheese.
- Bake 10 to 12 min. until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 min. before transferring to plate to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 70, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 150 mg, Carbohydrate 6 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 1 g, Protein 2 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon will make all the difference in this dish.
- Cook the bacon until it's crispy: This will add a lot of flavor to the mac and cheese.
- Don't overcook the broccoli: You want it to be tender but still have a little bit of crunch.
- Use a good quality cheddar cheese: This is the key ingredient in mac and cheese, so don't skimp on it.
- Season the mac and cheese to taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, and you can also add other spices, such as garlic powder or onion powder.
- Serve the mac and cheese hot: This is the best way to enjoy it.
Conclusion:
This bacon broccoli mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's also a great way to use up leftover bacon and broccoli. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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