Stovetop Broccoli Mac n Cheese

• 1 box (16 Oz Box) Medium Sized Pasta Shells
• 4 cups Frozen Broccoli Bits
• 6 Tablespoons Butter
• 13 cups Flour
• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard Powder
• 18 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoons Ground Pepper
• 5 slices American Cheese, Diced
• 4 ounces, weight Whole Milk Mozzarella, Shredded
• 1 block (10 Oz Size) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded

1. 1.
2. In a large pasta pot boil enough water to cook the entire box of shells and broccoli.
3. Once the water is at a boil add a good amount of salt to season the water then add pasta.
4. Cook for about 6 minutes then add the broccoli.
5. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente (has a little bite to it, use the package instructions for al dente as a guideline), about 8-10 minutes.
6. Drain and set aside in the pot.
7. 2.
8. While the pasta is cooking you can start the cheese sauce.
9. In a medium saute pan over medium heat melt the butter.
10. Once the butter is melted whisk in your flour and let it cook for about two minutes so that the flour taste cooks out.
11. Then while whisking constantly slowly add the milk to the pan.
12. Keep whisking so that you dont get any lumps.
13. Sprinkle in the mustard and cayenne pepper and keep whisking periodically so that the bottom doesnt burn.
14. Season with salt and pepper.
15. Bring the mixture back up to a simmer so that its at its full thickness, that will take about 5-7 minutes.
16. 3.
17. Once the sauce is at a full simmer, remove from heat and begin to add your cheeses.
18. Start with the American cheese and then a little of the cheddar and mozzarella mixed together.
19. I do small handfuls and it usually takes about 5 handfuls to get through all the shredded cheese.
20. Do it at whatever pace works for you though, the goal is to let it melt some before you add more so that you have a creamy, smooth cheese sauce.
21. 4.
22. Pour the entire pan of cheese sauce into the pot of pasta and broccoli and stir to combine.
23. It will be saucy and seem like too much, but the pasta will absorb some of the sauce over time.
24. Enjoy!
25. This recipe was inspired by, Smells Like Homes recipe for Panera Stove Top Mac and Cheese.

pasta shells, frozen broccoli, butter, flour, milk, ground mustard powder, cayenne pepper, salt, ground pepper, american cheese, milk, cheddar cheese

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/stovetop-broccoli-mac-ne28099-cheese/ (may not work)