It ain't no blue box...

Another Ellie Krieger recipe! I couldn't find this one online though, so no link. :( I had been craving mac & cheese for a while but I didn't want to give in and get the blue box (as delicious as it is and as much as I love it...it's just not on the healthy eating plan). So here it is! Macaroni and Four (4!!!) Cheeses:

Ingredients:

• cooking spray
• one 16-oz box elbow macaroni
• 2 10-oz packages frozen pureed winter squash (or canned pumpkin if your store doesn't carry it...*sigh*)
• 2 cups lowfat milk
• 1 1/3 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz)
• 2/3 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (2 oz)
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp plain dry bread crumbs
• 2 freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp olive oil

ingredients

 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

stuck a feather in his hat...

Meanwhile, place the frozen (or in my case, canned) squash (pumpkin) and milk in a large saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until it is defrosted. Side note - winter squash is a general term for many varieties including acorn and butternut squash. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally.

pumpkin and milk

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheddar, Jack cheese, ricotta, salt, mustard, and cayenne. Pour this mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine.

I have to stir all that in the pan?? Well this could get messy...

Success!!!  No mess!!!

Wondering where his cheese is...

Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

bread crumb topping

Bake until the cheeses are bubbling around the edges, about 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

bubbling away!!!

Toasty brown!

And the verdict is.....well like the title of this post, this ain't no blue box, but for 390 calories/2 cups it's not bad at all! I'm not sure how often I'll make this, but I don't regret making it! :)

:)