Save This hearty Halloween Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake transforms ordinary pasta night into a festive occasion. The combination of tender broccoli florets swimming in creamy cheese sauce and topped with crispy breadcrumbs creates a comforting dish that both kids and adults will devour. I originally created this recipe when looking for a way to make vegetables more appealing during the Halloween season, and it quickly became a tradition.
I first made this pasta bake for my nieces and nephews before trick or treating, and watching their excitement over the Halloween shaped pasta made me realize food could be both nutritious and festive. Now they ask for their "monster mac and cheese" year round.
Ingredients
- Pasta : Halloween shaped pasta adds festive flair but any short pasta works beautifully
- Broccoli florets : The perfect balance to the rich cheese sauce with nutrients and texture
- Onion and garlic : Create an aromatic base that elevates the entire dish
- Butter and flour : The essential starting point for a velvety smooth bechamel sauce
- Whole milk : Creates the richest sauce look for organic if possible
- Sharp cheddar cheese : Provisions bold flavor choose aged varieties for more complexity
- Mozzarella cheese : Adds that irresistible stretch factor freshly grated melts better than pre shredded
- Dijon mustard : The secret ingredient that enhances cheese flavor without tasting mustardy
- Paprika : Adds subtle warmth and beautiful color to the sauce
- Panko breadcrumbs : Creates the perfect crispy topping lighter than traditional breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese : Adds nutty complexity to the topping always buy a block and grate it fresh
Instructions
- Prep the oven and pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C or 400°F which is the perfect temperature for creating that golden bubbly top. While the oven heats cook your pasta in well salted water until just al dente about 1 minute less than package directions. During the final 3 minutes add your broccoli florets to the same pot this perfectly blanches the broccoli while saving you time and an extra pot to wash. The broccoli should be bright green and just tender when pierced with a fork.
- Create the cheese sauce base:
- In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat until it foams slightly but doesnt brown. Add finely chopped onion and cook for a full 3 minutes until translucent and soft but not browned. This builds your flavor foundation. Add minced garlic and cook for exactly 1 minute until fragrant being careful not to burn it as garlic turns bitter quickly.
- Make the roux:
- Sprinkle flour over the butter onion mixture creating what French cooking calls a roux. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture turns slightly golden and smells nutty. This cooking step removes the raw flour taste and creates the thickening agent for your sauce. The texture should resemble wet sand.
- Create the bechamel:
- This is where patience pays off. Add milk in a slow steady stream while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Once all milk is incorporated bring to a gentle simmer not a boil and whisk frequently for 3 to 5 minutes. You will feel the sauce thicken as it coats the back of a spoon. When you run your finger through the sauce on the spoon it should hold a clear line.
- Add cheese and seasonings:
- Remove the saucepan from heat which prevents the cheese from becoming stringy or separating. Add your grated cheddar mozzarella Dijon mustard paprika salt and pepper. Stir until completely melted and velvety smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings remembering that the pasta will dilute the flavor slightly.
- Combine and assemble:
- In your greased baking dish gently fold together the drained pasta broccoli mixture and your cheese sauce ensuring every piece gets evenly coated. Pour into your prepared baking dish spreading into an even layer. The mixture should look glossy and generously sauced as some liquid will absorb during baking.
- Create the crispy topping:
- Mix panko breadcrumbs Parmesan cheese and olive oil in a small bowl until the oil evenly moistens the mixture. This fat helps the topping brown beautifully. Sprinkle this mixture evenly across the top of your pasta creating a complete layer that will become golden and crunchy.
- Bake to perfection:
- Place your assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top turns a beautiful golden brown. For an extra crispy top switch to broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes watching carefully to prevent burning. The contrast between the crispy top and creamy interior makes this dish irresistible.
Save The secret to this pasta bake is definitely in the cheese selection. I once made it with only mild cheddar and the flavor fell flat. Using a combination of sharp cheddar for flavor and mozzarella for that Instagram worthy cheese pull creates the perfect balance. My daughter actually nicknamed this dish "stretchy pasta" because she loves pulling her fork away and watching the cheese stretch.
Storage and Reheating
This pasta bake keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight making it perfect for meal prep. When reheating individual portions use the microwave at 70% power with a damp paper towel over the top to prevent drying. For reheating the entire casserole cover with foil and place in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes until heated through removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to recrisp the top.
Ingredient Substitutions
This recipe welcomes customization based on what you have available. Cauliflower works beautifully instead of broccoli or try a combination of both. No Halloween pasta? Any short pasta shape like penne fusilli or bowties works perfectly. For a protein boost add 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked ground turkey. Make it gluten free by substituting gluten free pasta and using cornstarch instead of flour for the roux. Dairy free alternatives like plant based milk and vegan cheese can work but will create a different texture and flavor profile.
Halloween Decoration Ideas
Transform this comforting pasta bake into a showstopping Halloween centerpiece with a few simple tricks. Create a spider web pattern on top using sour cream in a piping bag or zip top bag with the corner snipped off. Position black olive "spiders" throughout the web. Cut bell peppers into jack o lantern shapes and place them around the edges of the dish before serving. Use food coloring to tint some of the cheese sauce orange before mixing for a marbled effect. For a graveyard scene stand rectangular crackers upright as "tombstones" along one edge of the baked dish.
Make Ahead Instructions
This pasta bake is perfect for busy Halloween festivities. Prepare the entire dish up to the baking step cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off then bake as directed adding an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time. The breadcrumb topping can be mixed and stored separately in the refrigerator then added just before baking for maximum crispiness.
Save This pasta bake is delicious served warm, allowing the flavors to fully meld. Leftovers are excellent, continuing to be a crowd-pleaser.
Recipe FAQ
- → What pasta shapes work best for this dish?
Halloween-themed shapes are fun, but any short pasta, such as penne or fusilli, holds the cheese sauce well.
- → Can I substitute broccoli with another vegetable?
Yes, cauliflower or pumpkin cubes both make excellent alternatives and add variety in texture and flavor.
- → How do I achieve a crisp topping?
Bake until golden, then broil for a few minutes at the end for extra crunch in the panko-Parmesan layer.
- → Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly, but always double-check cheese labels for rennet.
- → What can I serve alongside this bake?
A crisp green salad and a glass of white wine complement this comforting main perfectly.
- → How do I add a festive Halloween touch?
Decorate with olive 'spider' webs or sliced cheese pumpkins and ghosts before serving.