Sunday, April 5, 2009

Classic Two Cheese Macaroni

Okay, I'm going to be honest with you for a second. I am an indiscriminate food lover, which means I love all foods equally. So when I'm in a hurry and end up making corndogs, or mac and cheese (yes the boxed kind, with the powdery cheese) for my kids, it takes all my willpower to stay out of it. It's processed, it's packed in calories, and on a cold day, it's SO GOOD. However, I am an adult now, who is doing everything in my power to keep my body healthy, and, Lord willing, switch out my wardrobe with a smaller version! So, you can imagine my enthusiasm when I find adult style recipes for the kid food that I can't help but love.

I found this gem on The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch, and immediately wrote down the ingredients to take to the store. It's a Cooking Light Recipe, and it is creamy, full of flavor and delicious. I added peas because it's how I always had it as a kid, and my entire family loved it. I'll take this over the stuff in the box anyday! Thanks for the recipe HoneyB!


Classic Two-Cheese Macaroni

The Best of Cooking Light, page 123

Ingredients

1/4 cup flour
2-1/2 cups 1% milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, divided
6 ounces light processed cheese (such as Velveeta Light), cubed
6 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 3 cups uncooked)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking Spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, level with a knife. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring frequently. Stir in 2/3 cup cheddar cheese and processed cheese, and cook 3 minutes or until cheese melt, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in macaroni and salt. Spoon into a 2 quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Yield: 9 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup)

Calories: 260 Fat: 7.5 grams Fiber: 1.3 grams

Points per Serving: 6

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I love Mac 'N Cheese! This looks really good! :)

Pam said...

Total comfort food - it looks wonderful.

Heather S-G said...

This looks so comforting. I wish I had a stove to cook some right now! :)

Maria said...

Much better than the box stuff!

Alissa said...

Mmmm! I can never resist eating my kids' mac 'n cheese either! I'll have to try this! Yummy!

Sara said...

You can never go wrong with mac and cheese!

MaryBeth said...

Just tell me who does not simply love a good home cooked mac & cheese?

Heidi said...

I love food that is light, but doesn't taste that way. This looks great!

Anonymous said...

yum! love mac and cheese!
ellie krieger has a very healthy mac and cheese recipe too in her book "The Foods We Crave". it's got butternut squash as the "secret" ingredient and is heavenly. you might wanna go check that out too!

teresa said...

Cool! Thanks for the tip!

Netts Nook said...

Works for me Teresa I know I have been known to eat the box also.Yummy

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

This looks and sounds wonderful. Great comfort food on a blutstery day like today!

Coleens Recipes said...

A lot of cooks are mac & cheese snobs...they only cook with hard aged cheeses, however, I think a little processed cheese really gives a smooth feel on the tongue (and tastes so good) LOL.

Shelby said...

Glad you loved it! Yours looks great and I love the peas in it (although I think Grumpy would hang me if I put peas in his. ;o) he he)

Sorry I didn't get by here sooner! I am finally getting out more of a day than sleep! Somehow, reading seems to make me sleepier....but not taking so many muscle relaxers is helping me stay awake most of the day now!