Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

We just took your average macaroni and cheese, and turned it into a healthy, delicious family favorite. It is simple, so easy to make, and full of cheesy flavor. You will love this dish.

Join us on Facebook for our latest recipes and projects. My little boy loves macaroni and cheese.

I decided to make a healthier version at home and we all thought it was way better than any box of mac n’ cheese.

The broccoli tastes absolutely amazing in this. Want to know why? Because you can’t even taste it. That is the best way, in my opinion to eat broccoli.

The less veggies you taste, the more delicious it is. This is still a hearty dish, but definitely a lot healthier version of it. It’s so easy to whip up, and kids and adults alike, love it.

The melted Parmesan and golden bread crumbs on top were so good. You could also used crushed up crackers (I prefer buttery crackers, like a Ritz or Club cracker).
You could also use whole wheat bread crumbs, as a healthier alternative as well. I have only made this using Italian bread crumbs.
You could also go without bread crumbs as well. I like the crispiness and the texture it gives the mac and cheese, but again, it is totally optional.

sneak in more veggies:

The thing i love about this recipe, is how easy it is to add more veggies to it, and sneak them in. I recommend the broccoli, but if you are looking to add more greens to the mix, here are a few vegetables that would be delicious, that I highly recommend:

carrots
zucchini squash
yellow squash
cucumbers
celery
spinach
tomatoes
corn
broccoli
cauliflower
asparagus

Really any veggie would work great with this recipe. If you chop it up small enough, nobody will ever know what it is, and it will all be smothered in cheese, that they won’t even care.

watch how to make another easy dinner favorite, here:

Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.

These Easy Chicken Salad Sandwiches make the perfect lunch, dinner or snack. They are so quick to throw together and taste amazing. Watch how simple they are to make, here:

looking for more pasta recipes? here are a few of our favorite:

Ravioli Casserole
One Pan Sausage and Tortellini
Easy Homemade Lasagna
20-Minute Tuscan Pasta
Baked Broccoli Mac n’ Cheese
Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Serves: 9 people

Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

We just took your average macaroni and cheese, and turned it into a healthy, delicious family favorite.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

12 ounces high fiber elbows like Ronzoni Smart Taste
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon lite butter
¼ cup flour
¼ cup minced onion
2 cups skim milk
1 cup fat free chicken broth
2 cups shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
12 ounces fresh broccoli florets
⅛ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
cooking spray

Instructions

Cook pasta and broccoli together in a large pot of salted water, according to package directions for al dente (or slightly under cook 2 minutes). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375°.
In a large, heavy skillet, melt butters. Add onion and cook over low heat about 2 minutes, add flour and cook another minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined. Add milk and chicken broth and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook about 5 minutes or until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
Once the sauce is thick, remove from heat, add cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 255 kcal · Carbohydrates: 40 g · Protein: 16 g · Fat: 4 g · Saturated Fat: 2 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 11 mg · Sodium: 372 mg · Potassium: 349 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 456 IU · Vitamin C: 35 mg · Calcium: 231 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

(Recipe from skinnytaste.com)

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Anonymous says:

Thanks for sharing this recipe. My 5 year old girl loves broccoli and loves mac and cheese-- but only separately. This may get her used to eating things together. ;-)
Teresa says:

Hi girls! I am new to your blog and love it! I am actually one of six girls, too, so I know how much fun it is!! Can't wait to keep reading!
Hartyboys says:

Yummy!! That looks really delicious. I will be adding this one to my recipe book.
Thank you
Ruby Jean says:

Coming over from TT&J... This sounded and looked interesting and not to mention just plain old GOOD!!! I think I have book marked 6 recipes already.. :) I just became your newest Follower and would LOVE for you to share this here http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/01/sew-crafty-tuesday-linky-4-and-giveaway/
Megan Roberts says:

Made this for dinner tonight and it was AWESOME! I haven't been able to find a good mac and cheese recipe until now! Thanks so much.
Kimberly says:

I have been wanting to try this one! I have the recipe pinned and seeing a bigger picture of it makes my mouth water. Who doesn't love mac and cheese???
www.creatingyourhome.blogspot.com
Lady Behind The Curtain says:

What a GREAT recipe! Would you come over to Cast Party Wednesday and share it with us?
Thanks,
I hope to see you there!
Sheryl
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=21694
BonBon says:

Yummy, I made this the other day and the entire family loved it!!
Hayley says:

Yum. I love adding veggies into my dishes whenever possible. I guess I'm still a kid and like being secretively forced to eat them sometimes :) and now I can eat my veggies AND my mac and cheese guilt-free. Thank you!
Rochelle M. Brisson says:

This looks delicious! I have featured your recipe here: http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/2012/01/few-of-my-favorite-things.html
Miss Gibson says:

Can you tell me how many calories are in a serving?
Six Sisters says:

@Miss Gibson,
Here is the nutritional information:
Servings: 8 ? Serving Size: 1 cup ? Old Points: 6 pts ? Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 314.9 ? Fat: 9.8 g ? Protein: 17.7 g ? Carb: 44.3 g ? Fiber: 6.3 g ? Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 215.7
See Also
Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies Recipe
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Tessa says:

Delicious!! It's just my husband and me, so I froze the remaining 6 servings in 3 containers for quick meals. It was still great after pulling out of the freezer and reheating!!
lparsons15 says:

This was soooooooooooo good!! Thank you so much for recipe!
Little Mommy says:

I featured this on my Fab Friday Finds and cant wait to try it!
http://littlemommybigappetite.blogspot.com/2012/03/fab-friday-finds-6-pasta.html
katchena says:

http://pinterest.com/pin/124974958380013387/, I pinned this recipe as i find it very delicious and an interesting twist to macaroni cheese (that over here in SLovakia, we know only from movies :)).
Nielson Family says:

Can you substitute sharp cheddar for medium/mild cheddar?
Six Sisters says:

You bet! I've made it both ways!
Thanks for your question!
The six sisters
Sugarr2518 says:

This sounds soo good and it healthy!?!? That's just too crazy! I'm definitely pinning and trying for later:)
GrimeTime says:

This looks delicious!!! I'd like to premake this and cook it the day after. What cooking instruction would you suggest for making in advance and then reheating for later? Thank you!
Bryn says:

Have you had problems with the sauce/cheese separating? It appears curdled...
Six Sisters says:

Hi Bryn,
We didn't have any problems with that. Thanks!
Six Sisters says:

Hi!
I have never tried that, so I would just make it as directed and keep it in the fridge and take out when you are ready to bake, following the instructions in the recipe. Hope you like it!
Frannyp_05 says:

I love all your recipes, it would be helpful however if you could list the Calorie, Carb, protein etc. amounts for the recipes. Thanks :)
Six Sisters says:

WE DO!!! YAY! It's our new sister site - MyRecipeMagic.com. Just click on the "magic" button under the picture and then click on "nutrition". You will find all of the nutritional value. It's so fun. Thanks for stopping by! -The Six Sisters
SJ says:

Mmm .. hoping my Pasta Lover child will go for this yummy-looking recipe. I've got frozen broc florets in the freezer ... think I need to do anything different if I use those? Not sure if they'll make things more liquid-y. TIA!
Cyd says:

Should work fine with broccoli added.

About The Author:

Elyse Ellis

Elyse lives in northern Utah with her husband and her four kids: 2 boys and 2 girls. She loves working out and movie theater popcorn.

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