I leave a box of store-bought macaroni and cheese out on the counter and the kids naturally assume....
Servings: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup nonfat skim milk
  • 1/2 cup butternut or cauliflower puree
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
  • 4 ounces (almost 1/4 cup) reduced-fat or nonfat cream cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • Directions
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.

    While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable puree, Cheddar, cream cheese and seasonings and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

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