This protein-packed broccoli mac and cheese is everything we love in a weeknight dinner: comforting, quick, fresh, and secretly loaded with nutrients. It’s creamy, cheesy, and SO so satisfying—and believe it or not, the magic ingredient in the sauce is silken tofu. Yes, tofu. But don’t worry, I promise you’d never know it’s there. My toddler loves it, so you know it really is sneaky lol.

If you’ve never blended tofu into a creamy sauce before, this is your sign. It adds an ultra-smooth texture, ups the protein, and takes on all the cheesy, savory flavors you mix it with since it has such a subtle flavor. Combined with milk, garlic, sharp cheddar, and nutrient-dense hemp seeds, the result is a silky, luscious mac and cheese sauce that feels indulgent but is surprisingly nourishing.

I also load this dish up with tiny pieces of broccoli that get sautéed just enough to keep their color and bite. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like comfort food but leaves you feeling good after :)! Whether you’re serving this to kids, picky eaters, or just your own craving for mac and cheese—you won’t be disappointed!!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Oasta of choice (gluten free, if needed)
• Fresh broccoli
• Unsalted butter
• Milk of choice
• Silken tofu
• Hemp seeds
• Fresh garlic
• Sharp cheddar
• Salt + pepper

That’s it! Simple ingredients and super easy to make.

This mac and cheese is best enjoyed warm and creamy, straight from the pot. Leftovers reheat beautifully (sometimes I just add a splash of milk or bone broth), so don’t be afraid to double the batch for lunches or quick dinners later in the week.

Creamy, high-protein, veggie-packed, and absolutely delicious. You may never go back to boxed mac and cheese again!

Happy cooking! Hope you guys love this one! xo

Protein Mac and Cheese

• Author: Mia Swinehart
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch, Dinner

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Description

High protein broccoli mac and cheese, with sneaky tofu in the sauce!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb pasta of choice, cooked to al dente ​
• 2 cups broccoli, chopped into tiny pieces ​
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter ​
• ​1/2 cup milk of choice ​
• 8 oz of silken tofu, drained ​
• 3 tbsp hemp seeds ​
• 2 cloves of garlic ​
• 1/2 tsp sea salt​
• 1/4 tsp pepper ​
• 1 + 1/3 cup grated sharp cheddar ​

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water well. Once boiling, cook your pasta according to the instructions on the package. ​
2. Meanwhile, blend together the milk, tofu, hemp seeds, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth. ​
3. When pasta has a few minutes left, heat a large skillet over medium. Add butter and broccoli with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes. ​
4. Reduce heat and add your creamy sauce mixture and your cheese. Mix until cheese is melted. ​
5. Remove from heat and stir in your drained pasta. Serve immediately and enjoy!​​

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