Macaroni and 4 Cheeses

Show: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger Episode: Old Favorites

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (197)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(197)

Cook Time:
23 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 23 min
Total:: 43 min

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Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash
2 cups 1 percent lowfat milk
4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
2 ounces Monterrey jack cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon powdered mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until it is defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.

Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
Mary Hanover, VA 01-02-2010
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surprisingly good
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

We really liked this. I think being aware that it was a vegetable side....a healthy alternative to traditional mac & cheese... (vs. a fake mac & cheese) was important to me. My husband didn't know and he loved it more that regular (he is a veggie kind of guy). Will be a keeper winter recipe for us. I will add more salt and pepper. I will also throw in ham/bacon if I have it....it doesn't really need it though. Read more
recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
denise jamison, PA 01-02-2010
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2nd time around mac & cheese
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

this second time that i made the recipe was 'OUTSTANDING'. just remember that the recipe is a LOW-FAT, LOW-CALORIE dish makes... it top of the class. since fat is flavor using the surprise squash was just great! all my son's friends in nyc just LOVE it! they repeatedly ask for the recipe. i am more than happy to oblige. Read more
recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
sonya pontiac, MI 11-26-2009
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Good but Different
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made this dish for Thanksgiving subsitute overall it was pretty good. I will definitely try this recipe again along with... some of the modifications that I read in the comments.Read more
recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
Rosalba chicago, IL 11-19-2009
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Healthy Mac and Cheese
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made this recipe for a potluck. It was good; however, I would add more cheese and cayenne pepper with salt. I could not... find squash so I puree the squash myself. I would probably add gruyere next time and skip the ricotta cheese. Otherwise, my children loved it without knowing there was squash. Read more
recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
Carly Chicago , IL 11-15-2009
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Not bad!
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I thought this turned out pretty well. It definitely wasn't creamy and super-cheesy like your standard mac and cheese. We... doubled the cayenne pepper and salt based on others' recommendations, and it added a nice kick. We also only used 14 oz. of squash and added a litle extra cheese. I would make this again! Read more
recipe Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
Lauren Huntington Beach, CA 11-04-2009
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Ick!
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

This macaroni and cheese was not very good at all. It had an overwhelming flavor of the squash (and I didn't even use as... much as the recipe called for!) and not enough cheesy flavor. Now I have a ton of leftovers that are just going to go to waste. I will not be using this recipe again.Read more