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Baked Mac and Cheese
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 24
A health-conscious recipe using blended cottage cheese to bring a creamier consistency to this normally-rich dish.
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups uncooked penne (tube-shaped pasta)
1 (12 ounce) carton 2% low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
cooking spray
3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs (japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; place in a large bowl.
3. Place cottage cheese in a food processor; process until smooth. Combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Add the cheese mixture to pasta, and stir well. Spoon mixture into an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Combine remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, panko, and parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat broiler (do not remove dish from the oven).
6. Broil pasta 1 minute or until top browns.
By RecipeOfHealth.com