Luscious Lower-Fat Macaroni & Cheese

From "Great, Good Food: Luscious Lower-Fat Cooking" by the Silver Palate's Julee Rosso.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup fat-free buttermilk or 3⁄4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 2  cups fat-free cottage cheese or 2  cups low fat cottage cheese
• 4  ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2  ounces  soft fresh goat cheese, at room temperature
• 2  ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
• 2  ounces asiago cheese, grated
• 2  ounces parmesan cheese, grated
• 3⁄4 lb penne, cooked according to package directions
•  cayenne pepper, to taste
•  salt, to taste
•  fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 cup  breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8 x 11.5 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In the blender, place the buttermilk, cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, Asiago and half the Parmesan, and blend until smooth.
3. Place the pasta in a large bowl and add the cheese mixture, and toss until well-coated. Season with cayenne, salt and pepper to taste. Place the pasta in the baking dish; top with the bread crumbs and remaining Parmesan.
4. Place in the oven and bake until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the top is golden brown.