Baked Mac & Cheese

From EatingWell: Winter 2004, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

Mac & cheese can be a true comfort on a gloomy day, and our healthy update takes advantage of extra-sharp Cheddar balanced with creamy low-fat cottage cheese and tucks a layer of spinach into the middle, which may help picky eaters down their vegetables. Whole-wheat pasta adds robust flavor and extra fiber.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I just made this last night from and old copy of EW. Kids (3 and 5 yr olds) loved it and it's easy so it gets 5 stars from me. I only put spinach on half of it. Will definitely be making this again - my kids told me it's better then the...

Comments

Comment	Posted
I just made this last night from and old copy of EW. Kids (3 and 5 yr olds) loved it and it's easy so it gets 5 stars from me. I only put spinach on half of it. Will definitely be making this again - my kids told me it's better then the boxed stuff. Oh - one change because I didn't have whole wheat pasta - I just used regular elbow macaroni.	2 weeks 1 day ago
I made this with gluten-free pasta and lowfat cheeses. My family loved it !!!	6 weeks 4 days ago
This was very very good. I have since brought it to 2 potlucks. I timed it to be done and I cooked it in a clay baking dish and it remained very warm. It is really too much for a 2 quart dish. I went back and calculated the amounts from the ingredients, and it is at least 9 cups of "stuff" once you include the spinach and cheese. I doubted the error and when I made a quadruple batch in a baker that is at least 8 quarts I needed to use a second dish for the extras. I now make it in an oblong casserole that is larger than 2 quarts or I double it and make it in my larger clay baking dish. I always use yellow mustard and worcestershire sauce in my mac & cheese and I did in this one and it turns out well. I also use some Old Bay in the topping along with the paprika.	6 weeks 4 days ago
We LOVE this recipe. It has become our family's staple mac n cheese. I cut even more calories by using fat free milk and cottage cheese, as well as 2% milk sharp cheddar. Still delish.	9 weeks 2 days ago
It was good but next time I'll do it without the nutmeg. surprisetickle	10 weeks 15 hours ago
This is pretty good, considering its a healthier option, nice and creamy and cheesy enough. Two changes I would make when I make it again would be to leave out the nutmeg (kinda weird) and leave off the breadcrumbs (not really necessary) maggie770	10 weeks 2 days ago
This mac and cheese recipe is the BEST. I like to do it with a layer of peas instead of the spinach. —Anonymous, Weehawken, NJ	11 weeks 4 days ago
This was really good. I didn't add the spinach but I added a little dry mustard to the flour and 1/4c. milk to make it more like the full fat recipe that I love. Will definitely make this again!	11 weeks 4 days ago
I love the combination of spinach and cheese. It's great to have a healthy update of our family's favorite dinner.	11 weeks 4 days ago