Macaroni Surprise
Elevate your comfort food game with this irresistible Macaroni Surprise—a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish with a hidden layer of tender sautéed broccoli and carrots for a vibrant twist. Featuring perfectly cooked macaroni smothered in a rich homemade cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Parmesan, this casserole is topped with a crisp, golden breadcrumb and paprika crust for added crunch. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this recipe is ready in under an hour and serves six hearty portions. Discover a delightful surprise in every bite of this satisfying, nutrient-packed meal that keeps both kids and adults coming back for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz macaroni pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 cups bread crumbs
- 0.5 tsp paprika
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli florets and diced carrots, and sauté until they are tender (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat and add shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese has fully melted. Season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring to coat all the pasta evenly.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add half of the macaroni mixture to the dish, spreading it out evenly.
Spread the sautéed vegetables (broccoli and carrots) in an even layer over the macaroni. This forms the 'surprise' layer.
Top with the remaining macaroni mixture and spread evenly.
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and paprika. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4218 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 187.0 g | 240% | |
| Saturated Fat | 98.5 g | 492% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 484 mg | 161% | |
| Sodium | 5282 mg | 230% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 465.7 g | 169% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.4 g | 94% | |
| Total Sugars | 61.6 g | ||
| Protein | 174.1 g | 348% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.3 mcg | 41% | |
| Calcium | 3312 mg | 255% | |
| Iron | 13.0 mg | 72% | |
| Potassium | 2763 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
