Broccoli Bacon Mac & Cheese

OK, people, I am a whole foods kind of eater these days, but - like many children of the 70's - I grew up on that nasty, totally fakey-fake Kraft Mac & Cheese.  And, truth be told, I like it.  I thought that, once I started eating healthy, that I would need to pretty much give that up.  BUT NO!  Cooking Light has come up with a brilliant way to make vegetables taste like Kraft Mac & Cheese.  And, it's easy.  And, it has bacon in it.  Note that this one tastes a bit better the night you make it than via leftovers.  But, that didn't stop me from eating it for several days - grin.  Awesome new find.  Think I'll make it again this week.

• 2 slices center cut bacon
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2c unsalted chicken stock
• 1 cup 1% fat milk
• 1x 10 package of frozen butternut squash puree, thawed (OK, this is tough to find, but is really the magic ingredient in this dish.  I found frozen squash chunks that I had to puree myself, but they say you can also use mashed sweet potatoes if that is easier to find)
• 10 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
• 3 c chopped broccoli florets
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 5 oz (1.25 c) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used a bit more but used 2% milk cheese, tradeoffs!)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon, cook till crisp, flipping often.  Remove from pan.
• Add garlic to drippings in pan.  Sautee 30 seconds.
• Add stock, milk and squash.  Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Add pasta.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in broccoli.  Cover and cook 3 minutes or until pasta is done and sauce is thickened.  (NOTE: I like my broccoli softer, so I pre-cooked it a bit before cooking the bacon.)
• Stir in salt, pepper and 4 oz cheese.
• Sprinkle bacon and remaining cheese on top.  Cover, let stand one minute, then serve.

Serves 6

Calories: 339, Fat 10 g (sat fat 5.7g, mono 2.8g, poly 0.7g), Protein 18g, Carbs 45g, Fiber 4g, Chol 29 mg, Iron 3mg, Sodium 566 mg, Calcium 267 mg