Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Fall Cooking Challenge #9- Skinny Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Mac & cheese is just one of those amazing comfort foods, especially on cold days. Texas is having it's typical yo-yo weather patterns (seriously, today- high in the 50s, two days from now- high in the 70s), but having baked mac & cheese is still fantastic! Add in the fact that it is reduced fat + broccoli makes me very happy!


Source; because my pictures never look this good
This is my ninth recipe in my fall cooking challenge, for those of you keeping track.


Recipe source: Skinny Taste

Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese


Ingredients: 



  • 12 oz high fiber elbows like Ronzoni Smart Taste
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp light butter [I just used 2 tbsp light butter]
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 1 cup fat free chicken broth
  • 8 oz (2 cups) Sargento shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 12 oz fresh broccoli florets (I used pre-cut bag)
  • 1/8 cup grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • cooking spray


  • Directions: 
    Cook pasta and broccoli together in a large pot of salted water, according to package directions for al dente (or slightly under cook 2 minutes). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375°.

    In a large, heavy skillet, melt butters. Add onion and cook over low heat about 2 minutes, add flour and cook another minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined. Add milk and chicken broth and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook about 5 minutes or until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.

    Once the sauce is thick, remove from heatadd cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top.

    Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

    Melting butter... highly exciting!



    Sauteing the onions
    Milk + flour + onions boiling

    Adding the delicious cheese

    All melted, now waiting for the pasta + broccoli to finish cooking
    Almost done...


    Mixing it all together

    Before going in the oven...

    Source; and again, let's pretend that this is my finished product

    I highly recommend this dish-- fairly easy and very tasty! Plus it makes a lot so we were able to freeze half of it for later.

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