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broccoli mac and cheese
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Broccoli Mac And Cheese With Cream Cheese And Sour Cream

Broccoli mac and cheese with cream cheese and sour cream makes easy, simple delicious mac and cheese with added green veggies perfect for a quick side dish with dinner or lunch!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli mac and cheese, mac and cheese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 625kcal
Author PA

Ingredients

for the mac and cheese:

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni equivalent to 4 cups dry pasta
  • salt adjust to taste
  • water as needed to cook pasta
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1.5 cups sour cream
  • 4 tablespoons butter may use little more if needed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

for the broccoli:

  • 12 oz broccoli florets I used baby broccoli florets, you may use fresh regular broccoli as well
  • salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce optional

Instructions

To make mac and cheese:

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions (I simply boil the macaroni shells in boiling salted water for about 8 to 9 minutes or according to time mentioned in the package instructions for al dente cooked pasta).
  • While simmering the pasta, add the pasta shells only once the water comes to a boil and make sure the pasta shells are immersed in water.
  • Once you start simmering the shells, use medium heat and make sure to stir in between so the shells won't be stuck.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, drain the water, add one tablespoon olive oil, 4 tablespoons of butter and also the shredded cheddar cheese to the cooked hot pasta, stir gently to combine and keep the pasta aside.
  • In a large bowl, place the cream cheese and whisk the cream cheese very well.
  • Also add sour cream and mix well to combine with cream cheese. If necessary, you can use an electric mixer for about a minute to combine the cream cheese and sour cream, but this is not necessary.
  • Once the cream cheese sour cream mixture is prepared add this mixture to the cooked pasta, add the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil and stir gently to combine with the pasta to make creamy, delicious mac and cheese with cream cheese, cheddar cheese and sour cream.

To make the broccoli for mac and cheese:

  • Place the broccoli florets in a large frying pan and cook in low heat so the water from the florets is evaporated. This is important step if you are using frozen broccoli. If you are using fresh broccoli and there is no water, you may not need to do this unless there is water from washing the florets.
  • Once the water is all evaporated, add olive oil, salt and seasonings (garlic powder, onion pwder), mix well to combine.
  • Stir fry the broccoli in medium to low heat for about 6 to 7 minutes or until the florets are cooked but still crunchy in texture (depending on the size of the broccoli you may need to slightly adjust the cooking time).
  • Once the broccoli is cooked, add the soy sauce also to the pan, mix with the broccoli florets and lightly fry for another one minute. Now the seasoned broccoli florets are ready to be added to the prepared mac and cheese!

To make broccoli mac and cheese:

  • Add the prepared stir fried broccoli florets to the prepared mac and cheese with sour cream and cream cheese, gently mix in to combine.
  • Alternatively, just gently mix the mac and cheese once more before adding the broccoli so the shells won't stick together as the pasta cools down, then top the mac and cheese with stir fried broccoli as you wish.
  • You may also serve the mac and cheese separately with stir fried broccoli on the side as a different dish, in case there is anyone who wouldn't prefer broccoli mixed in with mac and cheese!
  • Enjoy the delicious mac and cheese for lunch, dinner or any holiday meals as sides as you like!

Nutrition

Calories: 625kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 476mg | Potassium: 387mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1372IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 1mg