What is it about comfort food that warms your soul? The day after Christmas brought us lots of snow. We were under a winter storm warning, but the counties around us were under a blizzard warning. The day after the storm, I decided to go grocery shopping. I still have to walk around snow piles to bring the groceries in. So I was craving some comfort food.
This macaroni and cheese warms your soul and is healthier than the boxed stuff. So I was happy to serve it to my family. 🙂
The Imaginative One said it was good. Hubby took a second helping, so that must mean he loved it.
Healthier Mac and Cheese
Skinny Taste
Stars of the recipe:
- 12 oz. high-fiber pasta (I used Ronzoni Smart Taste rotini. You can use whole wheat pasta if you want.)
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1/4 c. flour (I used white whole wheat.)
- 1/4 c. minced onion
- 2 c. skim milk
- 1 c. chicken broth (I used 1 c. water with a chicken bouillon cube.)
- 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, reduced fat
- salt and pepper
- 2 c. baby spinach
- 1/4 c. panko bread
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, spray a baking dish with butter flavor cooking spray.
- In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter.
- Add flour and cook over low heat, stirring with a whisk. Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking. Raise the heat to medium heat until it begins to boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the milk mixture becomes thick, remove the skillet from the heat, add the cheese and mix until the cheese is melted.
- Drain the macaroni and put it back in the pot. Add the spinach and cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
- Pour into baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Take the dish out, and spray with a little more butter-flavored cooking spray on the top.
- Broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.
- Enjoy!
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