If you’ve ever had Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Mac and Cheese, you were probably just as excited as I was when they came out with Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese – I don’t think there has ever been a more perfect combination in the history comfort foods. After trying Panera’s new combination, I decided to try my hand at making my own version. I won’t call it a copy-cat, because it’s not the same as Panera’s version, but it is definitely just as tasty!
What You’ll Need
Made in your slow cooker, this dish comes together easily with few ingredients – you’ll need broth, heavy cream, your pasta of choice (I went with traditional elbows!), onion, carrots, broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, flour, butter, salt, pepper and ground nutmeg.
Getting Started
Combine everything but the cheese, cream, pasta, butter and flour in your slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8.
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the pasta and stir to combine.
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat, then add flour and whisk to combine.
Slowly whisk in the heavy cream until combined, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
Once pasta has cooked, stir in the cream mixture and shredded cheese until combined and thickened.
Serve
Divide between bowls and serve immediately.
Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4-8 hours
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 pound dry pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 pint half & half
- additional salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine everything but the cheese, cream, pasta, butter and flour in your slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the pasta and stir to combine.
- While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat, then add flour and whisk to combine.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream until combined, then season to taste with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once pasta has cooked, stir in the cream mixture and shredded cheese until combined and thickened.
- Divide between bowls and serve immediately.
Basil & Thyme 