Sunday Funday

Since I know some of you have the day off tomorrow, consider spending some time in the kitchen and trying out Ellie Krieger's delicious recipe for healthy macaroni and cheese.  

My healthy cooking streak started when I joined Weight Watchers on Monday and after I borrowed a new cookbook from the public library.  Don't worry, I will never post a "healthy" recipe unless Tim gives it approval, so you will be able to trust opinion of a guy who is a meat eater.  So here is a mac n cheese recipe you can feel good about, not to mention you will have leftovers for the week!

Macaroni and Four Cheeses

Ingredients

Cooking Spray

1 16-ounce box elbow macaroni

2 10-ounce packages frozen pureed winter squash

2 cups lowfat milk

1 1/3 cups grated extra sharp cheddar (4 ounces)

2/3 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (2 ounces)

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spray the 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Cook the macaroni by following the directions on the package.  Drain the macaroni and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

I thought about trying to find wheat pasta, but then I was worried about the texture with the squash

Combine the frozen squash and milk in a large saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until it is defrosted.  

Don't worry if this doesn't look appetizing yet

Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. 

Looks deceptively like cheese, but it's squash and milk!

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar, monterey jack, ricotta, salt, mustard and cayenne.  Pour this mixture over the macaroni in the baking dish and mix together.

Some of the cheese Tim shredded

Noodles and Cheese/Squash mixture

Combine breadcrumbs, olive oil and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.  Bake until the cheeses are bubbling around the edges, about 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crispy and browned.

The finished product with crispy breadcrumbs

What did you cook this weekend?

-Happy MLK Monday!