Cheater's Mac and Cheese

• portions: 2 servings
• temps actif: 10 minutes
• temps total: 20 minutes

Ingrédients

4 ounces short pasta, such as penne

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

2 ½ ounces cream cheese (⅓ cup)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

½ ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (⅓ cup), plus more for serving

Instructions

Cook pasta in a pot of generously salted boiling water 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and cover to keep warm. Add broccoli to pot; continue boiling until pasta is al dente and broccoli is bright green, 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain.

Return pot to medium heat; add cream cheese, butter, and 2/3 cup reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, until mixture is smooth and simmering. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, broccoli, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss with more pasta water as needed until sauce clings to pasta. Serve with more Parmigiano and black pepper.