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!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add half of the macaroni mixture to the dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

Spread the sautéed vegetables (broccoli and carrots) in an even layer over the macaroni. This forms the 'surprise' layer.

Step 10

Top with the remaining macaroni mixture and spread evenly.

Step 11

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and paprika. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni casserole.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1941.9 grams (1941.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4218

Total Fat 187.00g	240%
Saturated Fat 98.50g	493%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 484mg	161%
Sodium 5282mg	230%
Total Carbohydrate 465.70g	169%
Dietary Fiber 26.40g	94%
Total Sugars 61.60g
Protein 174.10g	348%

Vitamin D 331IU	1655%
Calcium 3312mg	255%
Iron 13mg	72%
Potassium 2763mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.7%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 43.9%