I LOVEcreamy mac and cheeses. Sometimes, when I’m making a baked mac and cheese, I’ll scoop out a little bowl for myself to snack on while the rest is baking in the oven. Confession: I inevitably just end up eating ALL the mac and cheese straight from the pot, no baking required. It’s an endless struggle (roll your eyes, it’s a first world problem, I know!) decidingif I want creamy mac and cheese or baked.
The appeal of baked mac and cheese is of course thecrispy crunchy, deeply burnished pieces of cheese at the edges of the casserole dish. As delicious as those crunchy bits are, sometimes I can’t wait an hour for my mac and cheese to bake. And of course, there’s something to be said about the smooth, dreamy creamy texture of stovetop mac and cheese.
This stovetop mac and cheese recipe has the added bonus of being fast, at least compared to baked mac and cheese. I know that there are some one-pot mac and cheese recipes out there, but I like taking the time to boil the mac separately. If you’re really trying to cut down on doing dishes/making things easy, you can go ahead and cookyour broccoli and mac, remove and drain it, then make the sauce in the same pot you boiled the noodles in. From that point on, all you dois make a simple roux, then toss everything together and you’re sitting down to a giant bowl of creamy, dreamy jalapeño broccoli mac and cheese. It’s got vegetables in it, so it’s totally healthy, am I right?!
Jalapeño Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
serves 4 – 6
- 2 cups dry macaroni or small pasta of choice
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups grated cheese of choice (I used a mix of Montereyjack andcheddar)
- 1 diced jalapeño, or to taste
Boil your macaroni until al dente, according the package. When there is 30 seconds to a minute left on the cooking time, add the broccoli to the boiling water. When the macaroni is finished and the broccoli is bright green, drain, rinse with cold water and set aside until your sauce is finished.
In the same pot or a large sauté pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir constantly for about three minutes, until completely smooth and incorporated. Pour in 1 cup of the milk in a thin stream while whisking. It mightstart out lumpy, but keep whisking and it will smooth out into a thick paste. Add the rest of the milk and whisk until smooth. Keep on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Remove from the heat and add the salt and pepper, diced jalapeños, and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Add the drained pasta and broccoli and gently mix. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed and enjoy hot.
53 Comments
January 5, 2015 at 4:32 am
Making stovetop mac and cheese at home is so freaking tasty! I’m all over this!
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January 5, 2015 at 6:41 am
That cover photo is absolutely beautiful. And the recipe sounds amazing!!
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January 5, 2015 at 6:43 am
Mine is lucky to last me dipping the vegetables straight into the sauce! The pasta is not quick enough! I love cheese and pasta, so lets hope my will power lasst me long enough next time to get it in the oven. Great recipe and love the creamy texture of your sauce. I am always going to love your photography esp. the first picture ;). It screams “cheese sauce”!
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cynthia | two red bowls says:
January 5, 2015 at 7:31 am
YESsss this looks so, so so good! I can never get enough mac & cheese, esp with jalapenos (!!) and broccoli (TOTALLY healthy!) PS OMG THAT LETTERING!!! I’m obsessed, Steph!!!! <3
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Trang's corner says:
January 5, 2015 at 9:44 am
It looks amazzzingggggg! So delicious! Need to try this recipe.
Happy new year!
http://www.trangscorner.comReply
Linda | Brunch with Joy says:
January 5, 2015 at 9:46 am
Yes, I’m with you. A creamy mac-and-cheese is my favorite, too. And make it into a one-pot dish sounds like a deal!
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Millie | Add A Little says:
January 5, 2015 at 10:25 am
Oooh my this looks so creamy and indulgent!! I love adding veg to my mac and cheese – you should try sautéed mushrooms, I’m sure you’ll love it Stephanie!
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:23 am
YES!! i love mushrooms in mac and cheese :)
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Matt Robinson says:
January 5, 2015 at 11:07 am
One of the best mac & cheese recipes ever, love this!
See AlsoHomestyle Baked Macaroni & Cheese Recipe | Pocket Change Gourmet51 Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are More Than Just Cheddar And BreadSausage and Cheese Baked Rigatoni Recipe | foodiecrush.com30 Clam Recipes to MasterReply
steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:23 am
thanks matt!! :D
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Heather says:
January 5, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Mmm, this look so yummy. Creamy cheesy pasta is a big weakness of mine.
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:22 am
mine too heather, mine too!
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Eileen says:
January 5, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Such a creamy and comforting pasta for a cold day! You have to love the extra spicy kick of jalapeno. :)
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:22 am
uh, don’t jalapeños make EVERYTHING more delicious?!
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January 5, 2015 at 1:54 pm
January diets, BEGONE!!! Mac n cheese is a mega fave around our household – both from scratch and from the box … he! XO
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:22 am
BEGONE!! let’s binge on mac and cheese soon!! XOXO
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jenna @ just j.faye says:
January 5, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Oh heavens. This mac and cheese looks absolutely amazing. I’m craving warm, cheesy noodles.
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:22 am
thanks jenna!! you can never go wrong with cheesy noodles!
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Jonathan says:
January 5, 2015 at 5:35 pm
This looks amazing Stephanie! I’m OBSESSED with your photography….you’re my biggest role model. No joke.
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:21 am
WHAT!?!? you just made my day jon!!! i blush! xo
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January 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Your images are beautiful and have me drooling. Broccoli and cheese make a great combination and a little heat from the jalapeno just sounds perfect!
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See AlsoTurtle Fudge | Swanky Recipessteph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:21 am
thank you tiffany!!
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Sune Moolman says:
January 5, 2015 at 11:51 pm
The greens in this mac and cheese totally goes with the new year’s resolutions! I’m in!! ;)
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:21 am
heehee, more greens for the new year!! and more mac and cheese of course!
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Shreya says:
January 6, 2015 at 1:28 am
This is delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
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steph says:
January 6, 2015 at 4:20 am
thanks shreya!
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Karishma says:
January 6, 2015 at 8:19 am
Wait eating mac and cheese from the pot is the best thing, though?!!!
Haha, this looks SOO good oh my gosh. Jalapeno mac and cheese? Cheese + spicy stuff is my fave!
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Carol at Wild Goose Tea says:
January 7, 2015 at 3:19 pm
I like have the world am a MAJOR Mac and Cheese fan. I love the fact it has been trending the few years. Who would have thought one would find it easily offered in restaurants. The stove top variety here with a zap to it—–GREAT.
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Maria says:
January 7, 2015 at 7:58 pm
Hi! Your pictures and recipes are mouthwateringly amazing. I stumbled on your blog today (nice to meet you) and I’ve been browsing from one recipe to the next!
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Maggie says:
January 8, 2015 at 4:11 am
This is a perfect mac and cheese recipe! The creamy texture is even better than the one from the oven. And of course, the veggies make everything healthier :)
I can’t wait to try this out!Reply
Em | the pig & quill says:
January 8, 2015 at 12:36 pm
I LOVE the institutional-ness of creamy mac + cheese in all it’s cafeteria-days glory. High five, lady!
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jackie says:
January 10, 2015 at 9:34 am
hi. i haven’t been looking at your blog lately, but i noticed this lovely recipe published on the day of my 50th birthday. sounds great. i love pasta and always looking for ways to make it. my compliments to you . jackie
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Chrissy says:
January 10, 2015 at 7:39 pm
An alternative to baking that would still sort of give you the crunchy top is to brown some Panko in olive oil or butter until all crispy and fold it in. I do that with my cassoulet and it kinds does the trick!
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Alberto Belmonte says:
January 19, 2015 at 4:53 am
Amazing photos!
I love mac and cheese and sure I will make them.
Congratulations for your fantastic blog!Reply
Cindy Retz says:
January 21, 2015 at 3:20 am
Delicious!
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Amanda Hellweg says:
March 17, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for feeding my Mac n cheese obsession :)
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Kimberly says:
March 19, 2015 at 12:28 pm
I absolutely love eating macaroni and cheese! It’s one of my favorite foods! Even though I don’t like broccoli, this recipe look absolutely delicious! I will definitely try this at home!
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Jackie Oliver says:
February 16, 2016 at 11:35 am
Wow, this looks delicious! I have never thought of putting jalapenos in it!
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Terri Schober says:
April 21, 2016 at 10:17 pm
This is just what I was searching for! I will be making this on Saturday and I bet it is wonderful. Thanks!
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Gloria says:
May 15, 2016 at 6:49 pm
This is now my fav Mac-n- cheese! I made it twice in one week because my husband wanted more. Love, love, love!!!
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June 23, 2016 at 9:39 pm
mmm I love mac and cheese, its nice to see a bit of green in there :)
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