As you’ve probably figured out, I don’t always write these immediately after I’ve cooked the dish. I usually remember a lot about them though, and I make a lot of mental notes as I go, especially now that I’ve done 80+ of these at this point.
I don’t remember a damned thing about 12-8: Penne with Broccoli. I’m pretty sure the only thing I remember was that it was pretty unmemorable.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/12-8+Penne+with+Broccoli.jpg?w=720&ssl=1)
My guess is it’s one of those one-pan-skillet-easy-weeknight-dinner kind of things that gets you to eat vegetables by covering them in cheese and noodles. Not that that’s bad, but it’s nothing new.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/12-8+Penne+with+Broccoli1.jpg?w=720&ssl=1)
My mom probably did make this one, or at least a lot of dishes similar to it. She probably would have 86’d the mushrooms though.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2479.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Ingredients–everything’s legit except for that I made more pasta than 6 oz.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2481.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Do your mise en place–it’ll be much easier once you get going.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2483.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Sauté away.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2484.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Blanching my broccoli.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2486.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Everything all together–those onions and mushrooms really cook down.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2487.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Veggies cooking with milk and flour–you’re essentially making a roux for your cheese sauce base.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2488.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Adding in the cheese to make the cheese sauce. I didn’t take any pictures of the pasta boiling, but I think you can imagine it. If you can’t, 12-4: Pasta with Mushrooms is essentially this recipe with less broccoli & cheese and has also got you covered in the pictures-of-pasta-in-boiling-water department.
![](https://i0.wp.com/simplydeliciouscookbook-photos.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/section2/group12/08/IMG_2489.jpeg?w=720&ssl=1)
Finished product. I think it was a pretty good dinner, but obviously nothing standout. Sometimes simple is okay too, I suppose.
Grade: B