1Cook the pasta and broccoli:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli to the same pot. Drain and set aside.
2Make the cheese sauce:
In the same pot or a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth followed by the deli american.
3Combine:
Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce, stir to coat, and season with salt, pepper, and any optional flavor boosters.
4Serve:
Serve warm as a main or side dish. Add extra cheese on top if desired.