Macaroni and Cheese Primavera

Manda's Note:

Posted as request for low-sodium mac 'n cheese. Comfort food made healthy!! This can be served as a main dish or as a hearty side dish. Add chopped, cooked chicken or turkey to make it a meal.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.0 9x13-in ...

• 1 lb elbow macaroni, prepared according to package and drained
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (I use broccoli, red pepper, onions, and mushrooms)
• 1 (8 ounce) package neufchatel cheese (or red.-fat cream cheese)
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 (8 ounce) package sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• black pepper
• 1 dash garlic powder

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. In large bowl, toss together cooked macaroni, thawed vegetables, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. In food processor, blend Neufchatel cheese and buttermilk.
4. Fold buttermilk mixture and half of shredded cheddar into macaroni and vegetable mixture.
5. Spoon into large casserole dish lightly coated with non-stick spray.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
7. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
8. Optional: Broil 4-5 minutes, until cheese on top is crisp and lightly browned.

Reviews

[Laurie H.]

Yummy, but hey, not all that healthy unless maybe whole wheat pasta. Easy and better substitute for frozen veg's: chop a little extra of each veg you make/use during the week (onions, broc, carrots, whatever), and use that to put this together on the weekend for a Mon./Tues. dinner! I steamed the broc a little, and sauteed onions and carrots, before mixing in. Chopped red peppers went in raw. Sauce is delish. I added some Romano/Parm mix on top as well.

[nkoprince08]

This is a great mac & cheese recipe, you can't even tell it's low sodium, which is awesome!! I used the same vegetables only fresh instead of frozen and did 1 C. cheddar cheese and 1 C. swiss. It was simple to put together and tasted amazing, thanks for sharing!!