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mac and cheese with breadcrumbs
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Baked Mac and Cheese

Three-cheese mac and cheese with crispy breadcrumbs on top.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side dishes/main meals
Keyword: Baked mac and cheese, mac and cheese, weight watchers
Servings: 5 people

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Whole-grain penne or another whole-grain pasta shape
  • ¾ cup Fat-free milk or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp Light butter substitute
  • 2.5 oz Reduced-fat Velveeta cheese
  • ½ cup Fat-free shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup Fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp Black pepper
  • ½ tsp Onion powder
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp Dried mustard
  • 3 tbsp Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a baking dish about 8x8 inches or a similar size. Mix the two shredded cheeses together to create a blend and set aside.
  • In a large saucepan or skillet, add milk, butter substitute, seasonings, and Velveeta cheese. Cook over medium heat until gently simmering, the Velveeta has melted, and the sauce is smooth. It will seem thin.
  • Meanwhile, boil the pasta to al dente according to package instructions.
  • To the cheese sauce, stir in about half of the shredded cheese; stop mixing once it just melts. Do not overmix because it will clump. Remove from heat.
  • Drain the pasta and add it to the cheese sauce while both are still warm; gently mix together. (If you wish, you can add a splash or two of pasta water to the sauce).
  • Pour half of the cheesy pasta into the baking dish. Sprinkle with most of the remaining shredded cheese, leaving some for the top.
  • Pour the remaining pasta over the layer of shredded cheese. Top with remaining cheese and panko bread crumbs.
  • Cover and bake mac and cheese for 20-25 minutes or until thoroughly hot (with cheese melted in the center). Put the broiler on (watch carefully) for the last few minutes to brown the cheese and breadcrumbs on top.

Notes

5 WW points per 1 cup serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 124g | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 3.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 607mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 4.1g | Sugar: 4.6g | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 1.6mg