Growing up, I loved cheddar and broccoli pasta. So here is my version. I got creative one night in the kitchen, and my husband and I loved this. A healthier version of one of my comfort foods. It’s essentially mac and cheese with veggies – but it is oh so good!
What You Will Need:
pasta, your favorite shape, 3/4 pound
cauliflower, frozen, 1 cup
garlic, 4 cloves, diced
onion, small, half, diced
margarine/oil, 3 tablespoons
flour, 3 tablespoons
skim milk, 2 1/2 cups
extra sharp cheddar, 2 cups
broccoli, frozen, 2 cups, diced finely
grated parm
bread crumbs
salt & pepper
1. Cook the onions in sauce pan until the become soft.
2. Add the garlic, and cook until you can just smell it.
3. Next add the flour, stir until incorporated. Cook off raw flour taste.
4. Next add the milk.
5. Cook until bubbly, stir in cheese! It will be thick and cheesy. Add salt & pepper to taste.
6. Cook the pasta as directed. Add the cauliflower the last minute of cooking in the boiling water to heat through. Drain and return to pot. Add the cheese sauce.
7. Stir in the finely chopper broccoli.
8. Place in a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and parm cheese. Bake in 375 degree oven until bubbly and top is golden brown.
9. Delicious!
Bloom Everyday 
This looks good! Did you use fresh broccoli? Or do you think frozen florets would work? And are they in the oven long enough to cook or do they need to be cooked beforehand? Love broccoli and mac and cheese, so this sounds right up my ally!
I used frozen broccoli, which I heated through just slightly in the microwave to make it easier to dice. It worked perfectly and I happen to prefer frozen to fresh sometimes. They will heat all the way through during baking time because they are cut so small. I hope you enjoy it, we certainty did!