If you’re looking for a quick any easy dinner recipe that your whole family will devour, then you’re going to love this 20 minute Creamy Alfredo Broccoli Mac and Cheese!
Lately I’ve been in a “new-dinner-recipe-zone.” My mind can’t stop thinking about making new tasty dinner recipes, and this one is just another one that is quick, totally easy and bowl-licking good.
If you’ve ever been nervous to make your own alfredo sauce, don’t be! It’s actually incredibly easy to make, and with the help of the creamy Challenge Butter and Cream Cheese, this alfredo sauce it beyond silky and the perfect coating for some swirly macaroni noodles.
This whole meal literally takes less than 20 minutes to make, that’s why I’m sticking this recipe in my 15 minute dinner recipes category. With school back in session, you totally need an arsenal of easy recipe to squeeze in between homework, soccer practice and those pesky PTA meetings.
Am I right?!
The sauce is quickly made in one skillet, while the pasta boils away in another pot.
I used frozen broccoli for this recipe because it’s already chopped and partially cooked, making it a super easy toss-in-veg. You could toss in other veggies like peas, carrots, or red bell peppers for a little pop of color and added nutrition too.
A nice crusty french bread would pair nicely with this creamy and cheesy pasta dish!
Trust me, you’ll want this one!!
Make sure you don’t miss a thing! Follow I Wash You Dry here:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN
Creamy Alfredo Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles, prepared according to package instructions
- ½ cup butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoon basil pesto sauce
- 1 cup broccoli, thawed and coarsely chopped
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Boil the noodles in a pot of salted water, according to package instructions, until the noodles are al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet melt the butter and cream cheese together, whisking until it's smooth. The mixture may become clumpy at first, but it'll smooth out.
- Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and pesto and cook until smooth and bubbly throughout. Add in the cooked pasta as well as the broccoli and toss to coat.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Couldn’t you just add your fresh cut-up broccoli to the pasta during the last couple of minutes of its cooking …to give it a little blanching? I look forward to trying this. If heavy cream is not on hand, would whole milk be a reliable substitute?
Shawn, this recipe was great! My family devoured it. After we were done, we discussed all the different things we could put in it. Chicken, seafood assortment, and other vegetables. My family gave it a 10 and said I could make this anytime. Thanks.
I’ve never seen Challenge Cream Cheese or Butter in my area, could you just use Philly and regular butter? If so, would you use the same amounts of each?
Hi Jennifer, you could use same amounts of any other brand of cream cheese and butter for this recipe. 🙂 I just prefer the flavor and texture of Challenge products (if you can find them, definitely try them and taste the difference).
Tried this recipe yesterday for dinner and it was quite delicious, and very quick! Overall the recipe was great, though I think next time I might opt for a bit less of the basil pesto sauce. There was a bit more pesto flavor than I would have liked, but even with that it was still delicious!
Thank you so much for the great recipe! It’s a keeper!
There is something so satisfying about homemade alfredo!!! The creaminess and the noodles get me every time!! And girl, your pictures are seriously rocking!!! 🙂
Adding this to my must-try soon list! So delicious!
oh my this looks delicious! my daughters would LOVE this!
Thanks Cheryl! 🙂
What a great mac and cheese recipe! My whole family would love this 🙂
I wish I was in that zone…lately I have had zero creativity for weeknight meals. Love the sound of this one though!
You know I like me some mac and cheese! This looks amazing, and I love the addition of the cream cheese.
Not a fan of Alfredo actually but i love mac and cheese made with a homemade sauces lol might have to make an exception. Love your pictures 🙂
You’ll love this! Trust me! 🙂
This looks really good. I went to the ink for the whole recipe and am confused about the broccoli. Directions say–thaw the broccoli by draining cooked pasta over it. Is there any further cooking of the broccoli needed? How/when would you add fresh vegetables?
Hey CTY, since the frozen broccoli is actually partially cooked before being frozen all you need to do is simply run the hot pasta water over it to quickly heat it through, and you’ll be all set! If you want to add some fresh veg to the pasta you could steam the veggies or sauté them in a separate pan with a little olive oil until the desired texture is reached, then just add the veggies in when you add the pasta to the sauce! 🙂 Hope you try this, it’s a really tasty dish!
Who doesn’t love Alfredo? And your sauce looks extra creamy! Love that you’ve added broccoli, too…a fabulous dinner idea!
You have me absolutely craving pasta right now!
This looks like perfect comfort food! With some broccoli snuck in for good measure. Love it!
That looks so good, Shawn! 🙂 Comfort food!