Recipes

Yesterday all I wanted to eat was Macaroni and Cheese, specifically my favorite Jalapeno mac and cheese from a local restaurant that just closed. Maybe it was knowing I could never have the real thing again or the fact that it was a particularly cold day in LA, whatever the reason there was nothing standing in the way of me and some mac and cheese. After reading lots of weight watchers friendly mac and cheese recipes, I created this recipe adding in poblano chiles for some heat. If you really like it spicy, I would add a jalapeno as well. If you don’t want the heat then replace the chiles with spinach, broccoli, some other veggie, or just leave it out. I made this with some Queso Oaxaca, a Mexican cheese that I had in the house and is delicious, but Monterey jack or pepper jack would work great.

Skinny and Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 cup
Nutritional Information: 222.3 calories, 5g of fat, 39g of carbohydrates, 4.9g of fiber, 10.4g of protein * 7 P+

Ingredients

• 12 oz high fiber shells like Ronzoni Smart Taste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced poblano peppers
• 1 cup skim milk
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup diced reduced fat Queso Oaxaca, Requeson, or Pepper Jack Cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions, draining when it is just cooked since it will cook further in the oven.
3. In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour and using a whisk create a roux where the flour and butter combine and the mixture turns light brown.
4. Add the onions and poblano peppers and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t burn.
5. Add the milk and chicken broth and bring to a slow boil on medium heat.
6. Turn the heat to low and add the cheese. Whisk constantly until the cheese is completely melted into the sauce. Taste and add salt and pepper until it is well seasoned.
7. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and add your pasta. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and mix together.
8. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until it is bubbling. Turn the oven up to broil and allow to broil for 2-5 minutes to brown the top.