Creamy Yet Healthy Mac and Cheese: Beware. Might Be Finished in One Sitting.

Happy Friday all! This week has flown by and my days and nights have all been a jumble! Thanks for sticking with me as I've fallen off schedule. At any rate, this is one recipe you don't want to pass up. I looooove macaroni and cheese. LOVE. Unfortunately my stomach can't handle those creamy, rich, cheesy sauces that usually come with the territory. Luckily Ellie Krieger has come to my rescue once again! She has a recipe that tastes decadent but is much healthier than the original. While you may have seen similar recipes before, trust me when I say that none compare to this one (in my humble opinion). I make this recipe every fall, always substituting frozen squash with my favorite jars from Williams-Sonoma. Go to the supermarket ASAP and try this one at home!

Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
Ellie Krieger

Ingredients

Casserole cooling on a rack

• Cooking spray
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash
• 2 cups 1 percent lowfat milk
• 4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 2 ounces Monterrey jack cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon powdered mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until it is defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.
4. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

I served mine with roasted broccoli and cauliflower
and sauteed onions and mushrooms. YUM.