• Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired
Instructions
• Pre-heat oven to 350
• Next measure out all your ingredients, chop your broccoli and grate your cheeses.
• Boil pasta per package instructions [times will vary a smidge by brand/shape] until al dente. Drain and set aside once done.
• While the pasta cooks, start your sauce and your broccoli.
• Cook broccoli via your favorite method. I'm a big fan of quickly blanching broccoli in hot water until the florets are bright green and tender.
• For the sauce, melt ½ stick of butter [1/4 cup] over medium heat.
• Add flour and whisk constantly while the flour cooks off into a roux, approx. 3 minutes..
• Next season with ¼ tsp salt and ⅛ tsp black pepper [add extra to taste]
• Slowly pour in your milk, whisking constantly until smooth and fully incorporated. Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it rests.
• Add pasta and broccoli florets to a 9-inch baking dish [or larger]
• Sprinkle 5-6 ounces of freshly grated cheese on top of the pasta.
• Pour your cream sauce over the noodles and cheese and use a rubber spatula to fold it all together. Feel free to top with a little extra cheese if you'd like, then top with bacon.
• Bake on center rack at 350 F for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Recipe by A Frugal Chick at https://www.afrugalchick.com/macaroni-n-cheese-recipe/