Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 12 oz broccoli rice

  • 12-16 oz cavatappi pasta

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 4 tablespoons (0.25 cup) cream cheese

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 0.75 cup low sodium chicken broth

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 4 teaspoons dijon mustard

  • 8 oz (1 cup) cream sauce base

    • 4 tablespoons (0.5 stick) salted butter

    • 4 cups whole milk

    • 0.5 cup low sodium chicken broth

    • 6 tablespoons flour

  • 2-4 green onions

  • Salted butter

Instructions

  1. Prep cream sauce base

    1. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.

    2. Once melted, whisk in flour and cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes.

    3. Whisk in milk and chicken broth. Let thicken.

  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt once boiled.

  3. Trim and thinly slice green onions while water boils, separating whites from greens. Finely chop whites.

  4. Add cavatappi to boiling water and cook per package instructions. Reserve ~1 cup pasta water, then drain.

  5. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the pot over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of green onion greens. Toast until golden brown, stirring constantly (2-3 minutes). Transfer to a small bowl.

  6. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the pot over medium-high heat. Add broccoli rice, scallion whites, garlic powder, and a big pinch of salt. Cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

  7. Add cream sauce base, chicken broth, and 0.25 cup pasta water to the pot. Bring to a simmer.

  8. Stir in mustard, cream cheese, and shredded cheeses. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and sauce is thick and creamy (1-2 minutes).

  9. Add drained cavatappi. Stir until pasta is thoroughly coated. If needed, stir in additional pasta water (a splash at a time) to allow for better coating. Remove from heat.

  10. Serve with toasted panko and green onion green garnish.

Notes

  • Medium cheddar cheese is best recommended.

  • One possible substitution is replacing 2 cups of cheddar cheese with 1 cup each of cheddar and colby jack.

  • Panko toasting can be done in a skillet separate from main pot, if desired.

  • A mixed broccoli/cauliflower rice can be substituted for broccoli rice.