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Reduced-Fat Macaroni and Cheese

Source of Recipe


Cook's Country






List of Ingredients



• -- Bread Crumb Topping --
  
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
  
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  
• .
  
• -- Macaroni and Cheese --
  
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
  
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  
• 1 Tbsp plus 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
  
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  
• 1-1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tsp powdered mustard
  
• 2-1/2 cups skim milk
  
• 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce (optional)
  






Instructions



1. For the topping:
   Toss bread crumbs with butter in small bowl until combined. Set aside.
   
   
2. For the macaroni and cheese:
   In food processor or blender, process Cheddar, Parmesan and ricotta until no large pieces of cheese remain, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
   
   
3. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and macaroni, and cook until tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain macaroni and leave in colander.
   
   
4. In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add flour and mustard and cook, whisking to combine ingredients, until mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly add milk and Tabasco, if using, and bring to full boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking frequently, until mixture becomes slightly thicker than heavy cream, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Whisk in cheese mixture and 1/2 teaspoon salt until cheese is melted. Add pasta and cook, stirring constantly, over medium-low heat, until mixture is steaming, 2 to 3 minutes.
   
   
5. Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 8-inch-square baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning. Cool 2 minutes. Serve.
   
   Serves 4 as a main course,
   or 6 to 8 as a side dish.
   
   .................
   
   Per Main-Dish Serving:
   493 calories; 15 g fat; 10 g saturated fat.