Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
By garciamoss
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked cellentani (corkscrew) pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups fat-free milk
- 1 (12-oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk
- 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded 1.5% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese $
- 3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened $
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, divided
- 1 (8-oz.) package chopped smoked ham
- Vegetable cooking spray
- 1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Details
Adapted from myrecipes.com
Preparation
Step 1
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare cellentani pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and evaporated milk until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Whisk in Gouda cheese, next 3 ingredients, and 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in ham and pasta.
3. Pour pasta mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Stir together crushed cereal, 1 Tbsp. melted butter, and remaining 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper; sprinkle over pasta mixture.
4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Note: We tested with Barilla Cellentani pasta and Cabot 1.5% Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
More Mac and Cheese, Please!
Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese: Substitute 1 1/2 cups 1.5% reduced-fat pepper Jack cheese for Gouda and Cheddar cheeses. Omit ground red pepper, if desired. Stir 1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chiles into pasta mixture.
Per serving (baked with topping): Calories 456; Fat 11.7g (sat 6.6g, mono 1.2g, poly 0.2g); Protein 26.6g; Carb 59.9g; Fiber 2.6g; Chol 44mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 883mg; Calc 270mg
Sweet Pea-and-Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese: Omit ham. Saute 2 oz. thin prosciutto slices, cut into thin strips, in a small skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until slightly browned. Stir prosciutto and 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed, into pasta mixture.
Per serving (baked with topping): Calories 449; Fat 11.2g (sat 6.6g, mono 2.3g, poly 0.3g); Protein 24.9g; Carb 62.6g; Fiber 2.9g; Chol 39mg; Iron 3.3mg; Sodium 688mg; Calc 402mg
Pimiento Macaroni and Cheese: Substitute 1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese for Gouda and Cheddar cheeses. Stir 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained, into pasta mixture.
Per serving (baked with topping): Calories 440; Fat 10.5g (sat 5.8g, mono 1.2g, poly 0.2g); Protein 27.4g; Carb 60.8g; Fiber 2.4g; Chol 40mg; Iron 3.2mg; Sodium 817mg; Calc 400mg
Ham-and-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese: Stir 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed and coarsely chopped, into pasta mixture.
Per serving (baked with topping): Calories 459; Fat 12.1g (sat 6.8g, mono 2.3g, poly 0.3g); Protein 27g; Carb 60.7g; Fiber 2.5g; Chol 48mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 850mg; Calc 402mg
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