Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Prosciutto

Evenings in December usually consist of watching Hallmark holiday movies and consuming handfuls of Christmas calories. However, there are some beautiful sights to see during December in our community and it's a shame to not take advantage of them. Make the most of your holiday season....especially if you're in Norfolk!

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens hosts an amazing Garden of Lights display every year with over a million lights.Virginia Beach hosts the wonderful Holiday Lights at the Beach...where you can actually drive on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk or travel by horse drawn carriage.

Colonial Williamsburg hosts the annual lighting. And Busch Gardens, also in Williamsburg, hosts Christmas Town each year with amazing shows, lights, and shopping.

Before trekking out in the cold warm up with a bowl of Broccoli and Proscuitto Mac and Cheese. Yum!

2 cups pasta
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup of flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheese (reserve 1/2 cup)
1 (10 oz) package frozen broccoli, cooked according to package directions (seasoned to taste)
thin sliced proscuitto or ham

Prepare pasta as directed on package, cook until al dente.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a saucepan melt butter, add flour to make a thick roux, season with salt and pepper, slowly add milk just to thicken, remove from heat and add cheese (be sure to mix up your cheeses to make it just to your flavor) and stir quickly to allow cheese to melt.
Add drained macaroni to cheese mixture and stir well.

Pour into a 8x8 casserole. Top with broccoli and sliced proscuitto and reserved cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.