Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake – Good family food
When it comes to cooking for my family I want my recipes to be easy, delicious and low cost. Our grocery bill is one of our biggest expenses so I’m always trying to find meals that are healthy, filling and frugal. This Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake definitely fits the bill even though I do have to bribe Mason to eat the Broccoli part!
Does anyone else have a fussy eater? It drives me crazy as I pretty much eat anything. The list of foods that I don’t like is very short so when Mason refuses to try new things I find it very frustrating! That’s why mixing up the broccoli in the cheese sauce makes this dish a little easier to convince him to eat his veg.
I love a pasta bake for a mid week meal as they are so easy to throw together. They are great for doubling up the recipe too, that way you can bake and eat one and freeze the other for another time when you’re too busy to cook. I’ll be stocking up my freezer with meals like this one, Sophie’s Pasta Bake and my Traditional Lasagne ready for when the baby comes!
This recipe serves 4 as a main dish with a salad and maybe some garlic bread or it serves 6 as a side dish.
As always I would love to know if you give this recipe a try! Leave me a comment below or contact me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also find loads more recipe ideas on my Pinterest boards so give me a follow over there too 🙂
Lianne x
Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake – the recipe
Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 240 g dried pasta I used penne
- full head broccoli cut into florets
- 80 g butter
- 50 g cornflour
- 500 ml milk I used semi skim
- 180 g cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
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Pre heat the oven to 200c/180c fan oven.
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Put the pasta on to boil and cook until al dente, don't over cook it as it will cook further in the oven.
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Add the broccoli to a pan of water, bring to the boil and boil for one minute then drain, again it will cook further in the oven.
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In another sauce pan over a medium low heat add the butter to melt. Once it is melted whisk in the cornflour stirring for about a minute until well combined.
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Gradually add the milk a little at a time, whisking between each addition until smooth. Once all the milk is mixed in turn the heat up to medium high and stir constantly until the sauce has thickened.
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Once thickened remove from the heat, season and stir in 100g of the cheese.
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Stir in the drained pasta and broccoli and then transfer to a baking dish.
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Top with the last 80g of grated cheese and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve and enjoy!
Pin my Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake to save it for later!
Here are some more family friendly recipes I’m sure you will love!
