Rachel'S Simple & Flavorful Garden Mac N Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

MACARONI BASE
1 cup macaroni (uncooked! To yield about 2 cups cooked macaroni)
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
1 cup half-and-half
VEGGIES N FIXINS
1 small tomatoes, finely diced
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped broccoli (about 8-10 broccoli florets)
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (that liquidy stuff I like to use in place of cloves)
1/2 teaspoon basil
2 tablespoons cilantro, shredded (divided)

Preparation

Divide the cheese into 1.5 cup and 1/2 cup portions, divide the cilantro into 1 tbsp portions.
Cook the macaroni al dente in salted water, and put into a mixing bowl.
Mix all the veggies and fixings together in a small bowl, add to the macaroni.
In a 1.5 quart casserole dish, layer the macaroni mix and 1.5 cups of cheese to the top. Pour in the half-and-half.
Top with the remaining cheese and cilantro and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350\u00b0F.