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I don’t diet. There’s going to be barbecues and macaroni and cheese – but I’ll have broccoli and salad the next day.
-Ginnifer Goodwin
I’m a fan of Ginnifer Goodwin’s eating style… I mean, did you see the Ultimate BBQ Mac and Cheese I shared last week?!
Since I’m also a “have your veggies and eat them too,” kind of girl, I was thinking; why can’t we health something up, like Mac N Cheese, by adding the most loved/or hated green vegetable I can think of, Broccoli?
Personally, I have always LOVED my broccoli! Seriously, when I was 12 or 13, I ate steamed broccoli for lunch every day. EVERY DAY! I still eat it almost daily, with a steamer basket, it’s too easy to make. Simply boil a small amount of water in a pot (literally like an inch), add your veggies to the steamer basket and drop into the pot. Cover and steam for 3 minutes. I really love my steamer basket because it has a silicone-covered handle that makes it easier to grab out of the pot.
Eat your Broccoli Kids!
Now listen, I know there are people out there who can’t even stand the thought of broccoli. There are mom’s out there trying to get kids to eat it by calling them little trees instead of the B-word, which I never understood…?
I have to say the cooking of the broccoli to achieve the perfect texture is often what ruins it. My mom and grandmother are both serial broccoli killers. (Sorry, guys… it’s true) Who wants dark green, bitter broccoli that can hardly be picked up by a fork to eat it? Mushy vegetables don’t taste as good… unless it’s potatoes.
But who can resist broccoli and cheese? The combo is almost as synonymous with chocolate and peanut butter!
Remember that Basic Mac I made in week one? I always tend to have some leftover cheese sauce, I think it helps in the reheating leftovers category. It also makes for a great topping to broccoli, cauliflower and even potatoes (in whatever form you like: baked, roasted, fries, etc)! Butternut Mac Sauce would be equally as delicious and even more nutritious for anyone trying to hide as many veggies as possible in their kids’ food!
The winds of change are blowing me onto my next adventure, so my Mac Attack Series is coming to an end sooner than I’d originally planned. Next Monday will be the last official post in the series. Let’s just say, I had a little bit of a “helper” when I was trying to come up with next week’s recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry shaped Pasta (I like shells or pipe rigate for this one so the pasta is about the same size as the broccoli)
- 2 medium heads Broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 recipe Cheese Sauce (Not-So-Basic or Butternut)
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil heavily salted water for pasta. Cook according to package instructions.
- In the mean time, make your "cheese" sauce.
- During the last 3 minutes of your pasta cook time, add the broccoli pieces. Drain completely and return to the large pot. Do not place over heat.
- Stir in "cheese" sauce and Enjoy!
