This is the box dinner dressed up with a handful of broccoli and ham, turning an instant standby into something closer to a whole meal. The cheese powder goes where it's meant to, and the ham adds the protein and salt that keeps everything tasting deliberate.

Serves 2. 25 minutes, 12 at the stove.

About 480 calories a serving, 24 g protein, 50 g carbohydrate, 21 g fat. From USDA figures for 100% of the ingredients; amounts are the recipe's.

Cook mode

1. Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil in a large pot, add 2 cups of broccoli florets, and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes; scoop them out and set them aside. Keep the water at a boil.5 min
2. Add the pasta from the box to the same boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 6 minutes, then drain in a colander.6 min
3. Return the empty pot to medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 2 tablespoons of milk, then stir in the cheese powder from the packet until smooth, about 1 minute.1 min
4. Fold the drained pasta, 1 cup of diced ham, the reserved broccoli, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the cheese sauce until coated.
5. Divide between two bowls and serve hot.

Note Swap frozen broccoli for fresh if that is what you have; add it straight to the pasta water. Leftovers will keep refrigerated for three days and reheat gently with a splash of milk. Serve with a green salad or toast.