Penne Pasta with Broccoli and Bechamel Cheese Sauce

Our family is taking part in Live Below The Line 

where we live on £1 per day per person, to help highlight the fight against global hunger.

Our third dinner was penne pasta with broccoli and bechamel cheese sauce. 

A tasty and very quick meal for the family on a low budget.

The total cost of the meal was 28p per portion.

serves 6

ingredients

500g (budget brand) penne pasta

30g butter

2 heaped tbsp plain flour

500ml whole milk

100g grated mature cheddar cheese

1 clove garlic

335g broccoli

salt and pepper to taste

bring pan of water to boil 

add the pasta, simmer and add a pinch of salt

half way through the cooking time add the broccoli florets

meanwhile prepare the sauce

***

method

melt butter in a pan

stir in the plain flour and mix thoroughly

cook for a minute on medium heat

gradually add the milk a little at a time

use a whisk to add the milk to the roux (flour and butter mix)

mix until smooth and glossy

add one crushed clove of garlic and the grated cheese

season with salt and pepper

cook pasta with broccoli until al dente (firm to the bite)

drain pasta and serve with the bechamel cheese sauce

cost

pasta 29p

butter 12p

flour 1p

cheese 60p

salt, garlic, pepper 5p

broccoli  50p

milk 21p

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178p / 29.6p per portion