Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

So I really want to like this. It was so fast and easy to make. It has all my favorite ingredients in it. But can we say bland. I should have looked at the reviews on Cooking Light because they had 5 stars.  I would give it 2 stars.

I made it and it took 15 minutes to make once the water started boiling. But it just wasn't good. It needed some flavor. All I could taste was the Dijon. I wanted more pepper (which my 1/4 tsp was more like 1/2). It just had none. Disappointed to say the least.

Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Any short pasta can be substituted here--rotini and farfalle are good choices.

Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked mini penne pasta
5 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head) (probably used 8C...I like broccoli)
1 1/3 cups fat-free milk, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2/3 cup)

Preparation
1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli to pan; drain. Place pasta and broccoli in a large bowl.

2. Combine milk and flour in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Add 2 tablespoons Parmesan and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add cheese mixture to pasta mixture; toss. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 381; Fat: 9.8g; Saturated fat: 5.6g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.4g; Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g; Protein: 20g; Carbohydrate: 54.9g; Fiber: 4.6g; Cholesterol: 29mg; Iron: 3mg; Sodium: 577mg; Calcium: 331mg

Cooking Light MARCH 2013