Healthier Mac 'n' Cheese....and an Apology

Hey everyone! Yes, I'm still alive, and I owe my readers a big apology for being a bit MIA lately. If you haven't heard, I have started my own paper crafting shop on Etsy (yes, this is a shameless plug, but hey, its my blog, I guess I can plug away!), KTPaperCrafts. Getting the shop going has been quite a bit of work and has pulled me away from both this blog and my other.

At any rate, I'm back in the game and ready to share some more recipes!! Tonight's recipe comes from a website called Right at Home, and is something I found when I started my grocery coupon kick a few weeks ago. This Mac 'n' Cheese was absolutely delicious, and even with the veggies in it, it was husband-approved. next time I might try adding a little Mrs. Dash seasoning to spice it up a bit, but even by the book, this one's a keeper.


Ingredients

• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion poweder
• 4 tbsp butter or margarine
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 cup fat-free or low fat cream
• 2 cups shredded, reduced fat cheddar cheese
• 2 cups broccoli, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 12 baking dish or 2 qt casserole dish.
2. Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
3. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. Melt the butter or margarine in a 2 quart pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned flour from step 3 and whisk constantly until the mixture is thick and smooth, about 2 minutes.
5. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisking constantly, gradually add the milk and cream until the mixture is smooth.
   
6. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is very thick and smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cheese, half cup at a time, stirring thoroughly each time until the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from heat. Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
9. Layer the bottom of the baking dish with broccoli and tomatoes. Spoon the macaroni and cheese over the vegetables. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
10. Bake 30 minutes until the top is crisped and lightly browned.

Source: Rightathome.com