School Lunchbox
Cheerful Lunchbox: Mini Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
2
Level
Easy
This mini mac and cheese features tender pasta coated in a savory cheese sauce combined with shredded chicken and fresh broccoli, making it a school lunch that kids will look forward to at lunchtime. The texture is creamy yet still light on the stomach, with a savory-sweet flavor that kids love without needing excess MSG. Perfect served warm in a lunchbox thanks to its practical packaging that stays fresh until lunchtime at school.
🧂 Ingredients
🍽️ Servings: 2
Adjust the servings and the ingredient amounts & nutrition below update automatically.
- 150 grams elbow macaroni or other small pasta
- 100 grams boneless chicken breast fillet, boiled and finely shredded
- 100 grams broccoli, cut into small florets
- 80 grams grated cheddar cheese
- 200 ml full-cream milk
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder (optional)
- 1 tsp oil for boiling the pasta
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👩🍳 Instructions
- 1 Boil the macaroni in boiling water with a little oil and salt added, following the package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2 Blanch the broccoli briefly for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then immediately soak it in ice water to keep its color fresh green and texture crisp. Drain.
- 3 Melt the butter in a pan over low heat, then sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden.
- 4 Add the flour and stir quickly for 30 seconds until well combined with the butter and free of lumps.
- 5 Pour in the milk little by little while continuously stirring to prevent lumps, and cook over low heat until thickened.
- 6 Add the grated cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and bouillon powder, then adjust to taste.
- 7 Add the shredded chicken and broccoli into the cheese sauce, stirring until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- 8 Add the cooked macaroni into the sauce, stirring gently until all the pasta is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- 9 Let it cool slightly, then pack it into the lunchbox. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
💡 Tips
• Use a block of cheddar cheese and grate it yourself for a creamier sauce compared to pre-shredded packaged cheese.
• For a more convenient morning routine, the cheese sauce and chicken can be prepared the night before and stored separately in the refrigerator.
• Add finely grated carrot for extra color and nutrition without changing the flavor that kids love.
• Store the lunch in a thermal lunch box to help keep the texture creamy until lunchtime.
📊 Nutrition Facts / serving
380 kkal
Calories (kcal)
18 gramg
Protein
14 gramg
Fat
42 gramg
Carbs
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