Sheet Pan Mac Cheese Brussels (Printable)

Cheesy macaroni paired with roasted Brussels sprouts, baked together for crispy, flavorful results on a single pan.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 12 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - Salt, to taste
05 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Sauce

06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 3 cups whole milk
09 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
10 - 3.5 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 0.5 tsp garlic powder
13 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Topping

16 - 2 oz panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1 tbsp melted butter
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
02 - Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on half of the sheet pan.
03 - Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water 2 minutes less than package instructions; drain thoroughly.
04 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
05 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Mix drained pasta with cheese sauce until fully coated.
07 - Spread macaroni mixture evenly on the other half of the sheet pan, adjacent to Brussels sprouts.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, and melted butter. Sprinkle mixture evenly over macaroni.
09 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until Brussels sprouts are tender and topping is golden brown.
10 - Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley over before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy sheet pan edges and cheesy goodness
  • Vegetarian-friendly main dish that feeds a crowd
02 -
  • Contains dairy and gluten unless substitutions are made
  • For a gluten-free option use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs
03 -
  • Add a pinch of chili flakes to the cheese sauce for a little heat
  • Gruyère can be swapped for fontina or Monterey Jack
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