This creamy Stovetop White Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli comes together quick for the perfect kid-friendly meal.
Looking through my site, I noticed that I don’t have a lot of kid-oriented recipes.
(Mostly because Mike and I don’t have kids (yet) and the only kid in my life (my niece) has a more grown-up palate than most grown-ups I know. From the age of five she insisted on ordering for herself at restaurants, and for a good long stint her meal of choice was broiled fish with steamed vegetables…a girl after my own heart.)
But that isn’t the reality with most children. Trust me, I get it…when your kid’s favorite meal is the blue box mac and cheese, it can be hard to put a healthy spin on it. This dish makes it easy though.
My Stovetop White Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli appeals to even the pickiest eaters (convince them the broccoli “trees” are cool and you’re all set), and comes together in about the same amount of time that it takes to whip up the boxed kind of mac and cheese.
A combo of GO Veggie! Lactose Free Mozzarella Shreds and GO Veggie! Dairy Free Classic Plain Cream Cheese make this dish super creamy, and also keep it lactose free with less calories, fat, and saturated fat than regular cheese. I kept the flavors pretty basic here (read: appealing to kiddos), but if you or your kids are a little adventurous, add a clove or two of crushed garlic along with the oil and sprinkle on a little GO Veggie! Lactose Free Parmesan Grated Topping to give this dish more of an alfredo-like flavor.
I think even your pickiest eaters will like this more than the stuff from the blue box. ;)
- 8 oz (225 g) small pasta (use any shape you like; I used Ditalini)
- 12 oz (340 g) broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups (355 ml) dairy-free “milk”, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (7 oz/198 g) pack GO Veggie! Lactose Free Mozzarella Shreds
- 1 (8 oz/227g) container GO Veggie! Dairy Free Classic Plain Cream Cheese
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. When the pasta has 3 minutes left to cook, add the broccoli to the pot to cook along with the pasta. Drain the pasta and broccoli.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute.
- Add the milk, salt, and black pepper, and stir until the sauce is lump-free. Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover the pot, and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add the mozzarella shreds and cream cheese, and whisk until the cheese is completely melted.
- Stir the cheese sauce into the pasta and broccoli.
- Serve.
Disclosure: I received the GO Veggie! products that I used in this recipe for free, and I also received compensation for this post. I am happy for the opportunity to share brands that I believe in with my readers, and I hope you enjoy my recipe. As always, opinions stated are my own.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
I feel like broccoli, especially in a cheese sauce!, is a pretty kid-safe veggie, so you’re good there. And hey this looks like something I want for lunch!
Faith,
Mac and cheese is a dish loved by all ages–I like what you’ve done with this one. My daughter developed a cabbage preference early on, during the first year we joined a CSA. She will eat any kind, but prefers Savoy. Hearing about your niece reminded me of my girl.
Thanks!
Whoa! This looks so great and while it may be kid friendly, which is awesome, it is also so adult friendly too!
Macaroni and cheese with broccoli was my absolute favorite food as a kid (and is still my weakness today). Love your homemade version!
so creamy! I’m going to give this a go. Kaylin doesn’t seem to like macaroni and cheese (or french fries)…but maybe she’d appreciate the healthier version?
This stovetop pasta looks awesome!! I love it!
Cheesilicious! A great idea.
Cheers,
Rosa