Broccoli Bacon Mac and Cheese

Once the weather cools down (and let's be honest, year round), I love to eat macaroni and cheese. I recently learned how to make it really good. My mac and cheese before my Spicy Garden Mac and Cheese was just okay but since I learned how to make it right, I can't stop making it. I heart mac and cheese.

Now that my daughter is old enough to feed herself, she loves macaroni and cheese as well. We put it on her tray and she gobbles it up. I make it healthier by using whole-wheat noodles, whole-wheat flour, skim milk, broccoli and cauliflower. Instead of regular bacon, I use turkey bacon.



I make a cauliflower puree that makes the recipe a lot lighter than typical mac and cheese but it is still so creamy. By making it healthier, it is a meal that I can feel good about feeding my daughter.

The whole-wheat noodles and flour provide whole grains, fiber, a bit of protein and lots of B-vitamins. The milk and cheese provides protein and calcium. The broccoli and cauliflower give a boost of fiber and vitamins and help lighten up the meal a bit. You can have a salad or another vegetable on the side or you can skip it because the dish is packed with broccoli and cauliflower.


This recipe is perfect for the chilly fall and winter months when you are craving comfort food. It is filling and satisfying without weighing you down.






Ingredients:
1 12 oz box of whole wheat noodles
2 cups broccoli, chopped
8 slices turkey bacon, chopped and cooked

For the cheese sauce
1/4 cup butter of choice
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3 cups skim milk
2 1/2 cups cauliflower, diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Topping
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Boil a pot of water and cook noodles according to instructions.
2. Steam broccoli until fairly soft, set aside.
3. Steam cauliflower for the cheese sauce until very soft.  Blend cauliflower with 1 cup of milk until smooth.
4. Cook bacon in microwave or on stove until crispy.
5. On medium heat, melt butter until liquid. Add flour and cook for about 2 minutes while stirring continuously. Add the cauliflower sauce mixture and the rest of the milk and continue to cook on medium-low heat until thickened.
6. Remove from heat and add cheese and stir until melted.
7. Pour cheese sauce over noodles. Add broccoli and stir until everything is well combined.
8. Transfer to a baking dish and top with additional cheddar cheese and cooked bacon.
9. Broil for about 5 minutes until cheese is melted.


This recipe went over well in our household! My daughter gobbled it up- including the broccoli! My husband who does not love mac and cheese thought it was great. I love all kinds of mac and cheese and this was one of my favorites. The trick with the cauliflower sauce makes it awesome! We will add it to our "must make" list.