Best 4 Broccoli Mac And Cheese With Bacon And Potato Nugget Topping Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight that combines the classic comfort of mac and cheese with the vibrant flavors of broccoli, crispy bacon, and golden potato nuggets. This elevated dish tantalizes the taste buds with a creamy cheese sauce, tender broccoli florets, and the smoky richness of bacon. Crispy potato nuggets add a delightful crunch and a touch of indulgence, elevating this dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe offers a step-by-step guide to creating this delectable dish. Discover the secrets to making a velvety cheese sauce, perfectly cooked broccoli, and crispy bacon that adds an irresistible smokiness. Learn how to create golden potato nuggets that add a delightful textural contrast to the creamy mac and cheese. This recipe is a symphony of flavors and textures that will delight your palate and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BROCCOLI AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE



Broccoli and Bacon Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
8 ounces cavatappi or other corkscrew pasta
4 cups broccoli florets (about 8 ounces)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 slices Canadian bacon (about 4 ounces), chopped
4 scallions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
4 scallions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 cup 2% milk
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)
1/4 cup grated parmesan 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



Bacon-Broccoli Mac and Cheese image

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

1 box (1 lb) elbow macaroni (about 6 cups)
1 bag (12 oz) frozen broccoli cuts
8 slices bacon
1/2 cup sliced shallots
6 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups milk
12 oz white Cheddar cheese, shredded (3 cups)
8 oz Gouda cheese, shredded (2 cups)
20 round buttery crackers, coarsely crushed

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



One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese image

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

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 pound broccoli, stem and florets coarsely chopped
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces coarsely grated sharp Cheddar (about 2 cups)
Black pepper

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!

BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON AND POTATO NUGGET TOPPING



Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Potato Nugget Topping image

I was feeling adventurous one day and wanted to try a non ooey and gooey kind of mac and cheese. This dish bakes up to be light and airy. Good way to add some veggies for the picky eaters in your family. You can also make it lower in fat by using skim milk and low fat cheeses. If you're feeling adventurous, there are many other things you could toss in here such as ham-diced and browned, left over sliced chicken, more potato nuggets or more bacon, spinach, or other veggies hanging out in the fridge that need to be used up.

Provided by Cookin' Care!

Categories     Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Time 1h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
6 slices bacon
2 teaspoons butter
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 small onion, chopped
3 eggs
2 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon adobo seasoning
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
20 frozen bite-size potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots®)

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble the bacon and set aside. Heat 1 teaspoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the broccoli and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk together the eggs, the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter, and milk in a large bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and adobo seasoning. Stir in 1 cup of Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, the broccoli mixture and half of the potato nuggets. Place macaroni into the baking dish and pour the cheese mixture over the pasta, mixing well. Top with the remaining 1 cup of Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, bacon, and potato nuggets. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 543.7 calories, Carbohydrate 53.8 g, Cholesterol 132.6 mg, Fat 23.5 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 655.4 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-cooked bacon and microwaved potatoes.
  • If you don't have bread crumbs, crush some crackers or cereal.
  • Use a good quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni, or it will become mushy.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately, while it's still hot and bubbly.

Conclusion:

This broccoli mac and cheese recipe is a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for a family meal. The crispy bacon and potato nugget topping adds a delicious crunch, and the creamy cheese sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can easily make this recipe at home and enjoy a delicious and comforting meal.

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