Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (2024)

ShawndaOctober 17, 2012

Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (1)

Plenty of people are passionate about food – good food – and perhaps none more so than the people out there who read and comment on food blogs. And that’s where we got dinner tonight.

On the post about National Pasta Month, reader Anna mentioned her friend’s “desperation” macaroni & cheese. Broccoli & bacon + macaroni & cheese. It may have been created in a moment of desperation, but there is nothing second-rate about it.

Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (2)

I modified our favorite stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe to use what we had in the cheese & veggie bins: fontina, cheddar, bacon, and 1 1/2 crowns of the saddest looking broccoli you’ve ever seen. If you’re unfamiliar with the original recipe, it uses fat-free, high-protein Greek yogurt in the cheese sauce. The yogurt and fontina help the cheddar melt into a smoother sauce. If you can’t get fontina, try white American cheese – just using more cheddar and other less melt-friendly cheeses won’t be very pretty.

You can feel good about yourself for adding broccoli. And just feel good about the bacon 🙂

Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (3)

Broccoli and bacon make macaroni and cheese a one-dish dinner.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 4 thick slices of bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1 1/2 crowns of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use fat-free Greek)
  • Dash of hot sauce
  • 4 oz fontina, shredded
  • 4 oz cheddar, shredded
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium saute pan, cook the bacon to a crisp and then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
  2. Cook macaroni pasta in salted water according to package directions, until al dente.
  3. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining the pasta.
  4. Drain the pasta water into a second pot and return the pot to the stovetop.
  5. Add the broccoli to the hot water and cook over medium-high for 3-4 minutes, until just fork tender and then drain. (Alternately, you can just use the second pot and cook the broccoli at the same time.)
  6. While the broccoli is cooking, transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
  7. Add 1/4 cup pasta water, the yogurt, a few dashes of hot sauce, and 1/3 of the grated cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
  8. Stir in remaining cheese, one small handful at a time to prevent clumping.
  9. Add additional pasta water as necessary to thin the cheese sauce.
  10. Season with salt and pepper.
  11. Add the broccoli and bacon, mix well, and serve.

Notes

Yields: 4 generous servings

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Estimated time: 20 minutes

22 comments… add one

  • That looks great!
    Interesting to read how you make you cheese sauce. Is it “healthier” than the milk/flour version?

    • I guess it depends on how you look at it, there’s probably a good argument for both varieties. I use fa*ge 0% because 1) I like the taste of it and 2) it’s loaded with protein, far more than any other plain or Greek-style yogurt. That’s really the selling point of that yogurt for me for me. Another reader has told me that she used light sour cream in the original version and her kids liked it more than the yogurt variety.

  • That is a great idea to use yogurt for the cheese sauce…I can’t wait to try that out!!! We usually always have some sad looking broccoli in our fridge that needs used. This really does look great:-)

  • This looks fantastic! I have never heard of using Greek yogurt in the sauce but I can’t wait to try this!

  • This looks amazing! I cannot wait to make this. *adding broccoli and yogurt to shopping list*

  • Amazing! What a healthy, fun twist on traditional mac and cheese!

  • AngelaBroccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (10)

    All of my favorites in one dish! Mouth watering!!

  • anything with bacon – sign me up!

  • It looks so rich and creamy! What a great combination. It would also be good with a few sun-dried tomatoes. I love them in dishes like this.

  • Mmm, I’m so into broccoli right now so this is perfect. I wish I had it for dinner tonight!

  • Patti T.Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (14)

    I sing the praises of fat free Greek yogurt all the time, can’t believe I didn’t think of this. The recipe sounds fantastic and something my whole family would enjoy. Thanks for a great idea.

  • I’ve been meaning to make your mac and cheese for ages! I love all the veggies you threw in here…but DESPERATE it is not. 🙂

  • Donna JahnBroccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (16)

    Can you get me the calories per serving and the protein as well?

    Thanks,
    Donna J
    TN

  • Mmm, leftover broccoli in the fridge right now, I think this might have to be my recipe of choice for dinner tomorrow! Looks delish! PS – LOVE the idea of using yogurt instead of a buttery bechamel sauce! Now if only foodgawker would accept some of MY pics! LOL

  • DianeBroccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (18)

    Oh my, that looks devine, I can almost taste – can not wait to make this. Thank you, thank you.

  • DebraBroccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (19)

    Good Grief this is AMAZING…I started drooling at the name, the photo’s took it over the edge and my keyboard has been drowned.

  • You are speaking my language, Shawnda… looks amazing! 🙂

  • You can’t go wrong with pasta, cheese, broccoli, or bacon. All four together is dreamy!

  • I know what I’m making for dinner. This looks great!! 🙂

  • Definately adding this to my recipe list, thank you.

  • This was insanely good, for being so insanely easy. Thanks for this keeper!
    PS – I went ahead and invited some Pepper Jack to the party, just for kicks 🙂

  • Great post.

Recipe Categories

Broccoli and Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

Is it better to use evaporated milk or regular milk in mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

The second big key was to use evaporated milk as the base liquid. Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is milk or heavy cream better for mac and cheese? ›

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

What can I add to mac n cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What cheese makes the best mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What does adding an egg to mac and cheese do? ›

But if you like a casserole texture, the eggs would help hold it together. I have before, yes. It gives it more of a baked casserole taste/texture, which I really like. Yes, I have used a recipe that called for eggs in the mac & cheese.

Why is spiral mac and cheese better? ›

They have more texture.

I've always been drawn to the chew factor that comes with mac and cheese shapes. Unlike the original noodles, which can turn into a mushy mess once their cooked, shapes tend to hold their rigid structure.

Who eats the most mac and cheese? ›

It was introduced under the Kraft Dinner name simultaneously in both Canada and the U.S. in 1937. The brand is particularly popular with Canadians, who consume 55% more boxes per capita than Americans. There are now many similar products, including private label, of nonperishable boxed macaroni and cheese.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

How do you add depth of flavor to mac and cheese? ›

Brown the Butter

Browned butter is the secret ingredient to multi-dimensional flavor in both baked goods and savory dishes. It adds richness and depth of flavor to boxed mac and cheese—and all it takes is a few extra minutes on the stovetop.

How do you increase the flavor of macaroni and cheese? ›

5. Sprinkle in some spices or sauces. A little kick can go a long way. Choose your own zesty adventure by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or even a dash of hot sauce.

How to doctor up store bought mac and cheese? ›

It's very easy to adapt. We like to ad cream cheese and/or sour cream, a little spicy brown mustard, and whatever cheese we have on hand. Sometimes we ad ground beef, ground turkey, sliced ot dogs or bacon, but its the rits topping on the top that makes it sooo good.

What do I do if I added too much milk to my mac and cheese? ›

4 Methods for Thickening Mac and Cheese
  1. Reduce the liquid. Simmer the cheese sauce on the stovetop on low heat. ...
  2. Add more cheese. You can thicken mac and cheese by simply adding more grated cheese to the cheese sauce. ...
  3. Use cornstarch or all-purpose flour. ...
  4. Mix in an egg yolk.
Jan 24, 2022

What thickens mac and cheese? ›

Butter and flour: The combination of butter and flour thickens our creamy cheese sauce. You'll cook them together on the stove and then add the milk. The mixture thickens, and you can add your cheese.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Salt is key a good sharp strong cheddar cheese Onion and garlic powder and a bit of mustard/paprika powder is a good one. From a spiced stand point, mustard powdered has done wonders. If you want to go further, I started adding bacon bits and crab meat. Fry up some bacon and cut as small as you can.

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