Mac and Cheese - A Complete Meal

I love macaroni and cheese! 
 And I have found a way to make it into a complete meal. 



First, make macaroni and cheese using your favorite recipe.  I make it as follows:

1. Bring a pan of water to boil - I use a two quart pan and do not salt the water
2. Add the macaroni
3. After the pasta has cooked about five minutes, add broccoli florets - either fresh or frozen - use as much or as little at you like.  If you don't have broccoli, use any vegetable that suits you personally 
4. Once the pasta and vegetables are cooked, pour them into a colander to drain
5. Cube the ham into bite sized pieces and add to the pan and let them heat through - I use fully cooked ham
6. Add about a tablespoon of margarine to the pan
7. Add about a quarter cup of milk - adjust the amount according to how much pasta you have.  I usually make about two meals worth at a time - the amount in the salad bowl above is for one meal
8. Cut about three inches of Velveeta from the loaf and cube it.  Place it in the milk mixture to melt.  Use medium to medium low heat so that you don't scorch the milk or cheese.
9. Add some sharp cheddar to the mixture to give your cheese sauce a bit of a bite.
10. Add the pasta/vegetable mixture to the sauce and season according to your taste. I usually sprinkle a bit of ground pepper (that's the black grainy looking stuff you see in the picture) on the top.  It seems the Velveeta adds all the salt you need.

This is the way I make it but adding vegetables and ham to any mac and cheese dish will make it into a more healthy one-dish meal.

SMALL LIVING TIP:   Make two portions and refrigerate one for lunch the next day.  This dish reheats beautifully in the microwave.