I love side dishes that not only come together easily, but include a starch and a vegetable together. This pasta dish is definitely one of those and it is ready to eat in under 30 minutes. As an added bonus it is made in one pot.
Broccoli and White Cheddar Shells
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shell noodles
- 1 large head broccoli, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups half and half, warmed
- 3/4 cup fat free milk, warmed
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 heaping teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
Directions:
- In a medium pot cook pasta according to package directions adding broccoli during the last 3 minutes of cook time. Drain well.
- Add the half and half and fat free milk to a glass measuring cup and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds on high. Set aside.
- Return pasta pot to the stove and melt butter over low heat.
- Whisk in the flour and raise the heat to medium. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture begins to bubble, but not brown.
- Slowly add in 1 1/2 cups of the warmed half and half and milk, whisking constantly. Bring mixture to a boil, whisking constantly.
- Add in the pepper, paprika, cayenne, onion powder and dry mustard, whisking to combine.
- Turn heat down to low and add in the grated cheese stirring constantly until the cheese has melted.
- Stir in the remaining half and half and milk.
- Remove from heat and stir in the pasta and broccoli.
Notes:
You can substitute 2 cups whole milk for the half and half and fat free milk.
Serves: 8
Calories: 430
Total Fat: 18.6g
Saturated: 8.7g
Polyunsaturated: 0.2g
Monounsaturated: 0.8g
Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 50.6mg
Sodium: 226mg
Potassium: 289.9mg
Total Carbs: 50.3g
Dietary Fiber: 4.2g
Sugars: 4.6g
Protein: 17.5g
Vitamin A: 22.8%
Vitamin C: 113.7%
Calcium: 31.7%
Iron: 14.2%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from life made simple.
