Vegetarian

Lighter Mac and Cheese is for Dinner.

Lighter Mac and Cheese takes several minutes to prepare.

Lighter Mac and Cheese takes 60 minutes to cook.

Lighter Mac and Cheese makes 8 servings.

The ingredients for Lighter Mac and Cheese are:

6 small vine ripened tomatoes, (3-inch), cut into 24 1/4 " slices
3 tablespoons evoo
1.5 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
coarse salt and pepper
5 slices thin wheat bread
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 pound barilla plus macaroni or rotini
2 cups fat free chicken stock
5 tbsp all purpose flour
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cayenne pepper
2 cups low fat milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese - grated
1 ounce parmesan cheese - grated

Here is how you make Lighter Mac and Cheese:

Makes 8 servings (4.5" by 1.24" ramekin = serving)1. preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread tomatoes in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1 tbsp oil; sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tomatoes have softened (about 20 minutes). Leave oven on.2. Process bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Melt 1 tbsp butter with remaining tbsp oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.3. Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add 1 tbsp salt and the pasta. cook pasta until almost al dente - about 5 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.4. Whisk 1/2 cup stock into the flour in a medium bowl; set aside. Melt remaining tbsp butter in a medium sacepan over medium heat. stir in nutmeg, cayenne, remaining 1/2 tsp of thyme, and 1 tsp of salt. Add milk and remaining 1/5 cups stock. Whisk in flour mixture. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce to a simmer. Cook 8 minutes, whisking frequently. Add cheeses; cook, stirring, until melted. Pour over macaroni, stirring to combine.5. Put eight 4.5 by 1.25 inch ramekins on a baking sheet. Put 2 tomato slices in bottom of each ramekin. Divide macaroni mixture evenly among ramekins. Top each with a tomato slice. Sprnikle with breadcrumbs. Bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes.Number of Servings: 8Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user MARTAP.

The nutritional information for Lighter Mac and Cheese is:

• Servings Per Recipe: 8
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 537.7

• Total Fat: 23.4 g
• Cholesterol: 45.5 mg
• Sodium: 544.3 mg
• Total Carbs: 58.8 g
• Dietary Fiber: 6.1 g
• Protein: 24.7 g