Recipe: Three cheese mac n’ cheese (diet friendly & delicious!)

I stumbled across an amazing recipe from The Food Network last week — a lightened-up three-cheese macaroni and cheese. Since I don’t just cook for myself, but also my husband and son (who may be getting sick of my very heavily produce laden meal planning), I figured it was time to give this recipe a whirl for dinner this week. So glad I did!  This recipe is so amazingly delicious and satisfying, you’d never know it was reduced calorie.

Three Cheese Mac n Cheese

What you need:

• 1 egg
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated whole milk
• a pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 1/3 cups grated muenster cheese
• 4 slices deli thin muenster cheese
• 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (don’t use the powdery stuff)
• 4 cups cauliflower florets
• 4 cups medium pasta shells

What to do:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, then add the cauliflower. Allow to boil until soft and almost falling apart (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as directed on the box to al dente.
3. Combine the egg, milk, seasonings and cheese (except the sliced cheese) in a bowl.
4. Drain the pasta and set aside. Pour the milk/cheese mixture into the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes. Sauce will begin to thicken.
5. Add the cauliflower to the pot, and use an immersion blender to blend until creamy and smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture to a regular blender and pulse until smooth.
6. Preheat the broiler.
7. Toss the pasta in the cheese sauce mixture and pour into a baking dish and place the sliced cheese across the top evenly.
8. Broil for 4-5 minutes or until golden bubbles form on the surface. Enjoy!

*If you or your family hate cauliflower, don’t worry, you won’t taste it at all! All you’ll taste is cheesy goodness.

Nutritional info: 10 Weight Watcher points per generous serving, 400 calories, 17g fat, 41g carbs, 2g fiber, 20g protein — recipe serves 6.

Recipe modified from The Food Network’s Comfort Food Lightened Up recipe, found here.

Natali

Natali Carrera is a full-time working mom, wife, web-writer and recovering Target addict. Oh let’s just be honest. She’s not likely recovering.

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