8
4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the vegetables directly to the
pot with the cooked pasta. Add the remaining ingredients, including the
remaining salt, and stir to thoroughly combine.
5. Preheat oven on Bake at 325˚F with the rack in the lower position.
6. While the oven is preheating, transfer the pasta to the prepared baking pan.
Cover with foil and place the pan in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, remove
the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and
pasta is heated through.
Nutritional information per serving (based on 8 servings):
Calories 217 (34% from fat) • carb. 24g • pro. 11g • fat 8g • sat. fat 4g
• chol. 19mg • sod. 251mg • calc. 202mg • fiber 1g
Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
Extra-creamy, this will become a family favorite.
Makes 8 servings
nonstick cooking spray
½ pound elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons unbleached, all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups (about 6 ounces) shredded cheese (we use a variety of
Cheddar, Gruyère and Monterey Jack for ultimate creaminess and
flavor)
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
pinch ground nutmeg
dash hot sauce
1½ cups prepared white-bread croutons, divided
1. Lightly coat a 9-inch square or round baking pan with cooking spray;
reserve.
2. Cook macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain pasta and rinse
under cold water. Toss with the olive oil to prevent sticking; reserve.
3. Put the butter into a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Once melted,
stir in the flour until smooth. Continue to cook, constantly stirring, for about
2 minutes to cook the flour. While whisking, slowly add the milk to the butter/
flour mixture. Raise the heat slightly to bring the milk to a boil, while stirring.
Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring so a
film does not form on the bottom of the pot. Cook until the sauce becomes
very thick, about 30 to 45 minutes. Once thickened, stir in the shredded
cheeses until sauce is smooth. Add the salt, ground mustard, nutmeg, hot
sauce and then the macaroni, stirring to combine. Finally, stir in 1 cup of the
croutons, and remove from heat.
4. Preheat oven on Bake at 350°F with the rack in the lower position.
5. Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared pan. Scatter the remaining
½ cup of croutons on the top and loosely cover with aluminum foil. Bake
for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and switch the oven to Broil for an
additional 5 minutes to brown the top.
Nutritional information per serving:
Calories 319 (44% from fat) • carb. 32g • pro. 12g • fat 15g • sat. fat 10g
• chol. 43mg • sod. 429mg • calc. 260mg • fiber 1g