Our favorite shortcut meal. 15 minutes tops!
Boxed Mac & Cheese with Broccoli and Ham
· 2 boxes macaroni & cheese
· 1/2 cup butter + 2 tablespoons (for preparing mac & cheese)
· 1/2 cup milk + a couple tablespoons (for preparing mac & cheese)
· 2 - 3 broccoli crowns
· ¼ cup red onion, sliced small
· Single ham steak
· 1 cup shredded cheddar
· ¼ cup shredded parmesan
· ½ teaspoon season salt (Bon Appetit, or Beau Monde, or something with a celery note – even celery salt)
· black pepper
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook macaroni as directed. While macaroni is cooking, sear ham steak just to get it warmed and nice and browned (if desired, throw a teaspoon of butter into a frying pan). Dice up ham.
Wash broccoli, shake off most of the water and cut up broccoli crowns into large bite size pieces. Put into large (gallon) zip baggie, cut a couple slits into top of bag for steam to escape and lay flat in microwave. Cook on high for 3 minutes. While broccoli is cooking, slice red onions.
When macaroni is done, prepare mac & cheese as directed on box adding the extra milk and butter, mac & cheese should be runny. Throw in the red onion, shredded cheeses and toss around to melt, add the ham and broccoli. Season with season salt and black pepper. Toss around to combine. Thin with milk if necessary.
If desired, crush up herb croutons and mix with melted butter, sprinkle over mac & cheese and place under broiler for a couple minutes to crisp.
yummy!
MaryAnn