Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli

Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli

Cheesy? Creamy? Ready in under half an hour? Yes, yes, and yes. Is this dish perfection? No wonder it was the #1 recipe readers went to over and over. 


  
Serves 4

Ingredients

3/4 
pound 
medium pasta shells
1 
tablespoon 
butter
2 
tablespoons 
all-purpose flour
2 
cups 
whole milk
2 
cups 
grated Cheddar
1/8 
teaspoon 
ground nutmeg
kosher salt and pepper
1 
16-ounce package frozen broccoli florets

Directions

  1. Heat broiler. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  3. Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Add 1 ½ cups of the cheese and stir until melted. Stir in the nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
  5. Add the pasta and broccoli and toss to combine. Transfer to a broilerproof 8-inch square or a 1 ½-quart baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheese. Broil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes.