Bowls & noodles · THE SWAP JOURNAL

Broccoli mac with actual cheese

Name: Broccoli mac with actual cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 4 oz dry whole-wheat elbow pasta; 2 cups small broccoli florets; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup 1% milk; 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (2 oz); 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Creamy cheddar sauce. Little green trees. An excellent truce.

Inspired by fast-food mac and cheese30 min

Make it or buy it ↓

THE CRAVING IS REAL

Fast-food mac and cheese

Whole-wheat pasta and broccoli add fiber. Low-fat milk and a measured cheese amount can reduce saturated fat compared with a cream-heavy sauce.

same craving, a fresh idea

WHAT’S THE TRADEOFF?

A closer look at the craving.

Whole-wheat pasta and broccoli add fiber. Low-fat milk and a measured cheese amount can reduce saturated fat compared with a cream-heavy sauce.

WHAT THIS VERSION BRINGS

A little more possibility.

A familiar creamy bowl that makes room for a vegetable.

LET’S MAKE THE SWAP

Broccoli mac with actual cheese

PREP10 minCOOK20 minTOTAL30 minSERVES2

What you’ll need

Let’s do this

1
Cook pasta in a saucepan of boiling water according to the package, adding broccoli for the final 3 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
2
Warm oil in the empty pan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute without browning.
3
Gradually whisk in milk. Add garlic powder, mustard powder, and pepper; simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
4
Take the pan off the heat and stir in cheddar until melted. Return pasta and broccoli to the pan.
5
Fold everything together, using a little reserved pasta water if needed. Serve while the sauce is silky.

Times are estimates; nutrition has not been calculated. Check ingredients and substitutions for your dietary needs and allergies.

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