2 c. Green Beans (fresh is best, frozen is ok, canned – make sure it’s no salt added)
1/4 c. Bread Crumbs (I like Italian flavored)
1 small tub Fat Free Cottage Cheese (no salt added!)
1 box Mac’n’Cheese (You’ll never know it’s from a box when we’re done. I recommend Trader Joe’s Organic)
Paprika
Black Pepper
•Preheat oven to 375° F.
•Spray glass casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil.
•Boil two pots of water (one for the noodles, one for the green beans if they aren’t canned).
•Lightly steam green beans over pot.
•Cook noodles as instructed on the box in the other pot.
•Strain the noodles and place back in the pot.
•This is where things get fun! Keep the heat on medium under the pot and add the entire tub of cottage cheese to the noodles.
•Stir until the cheese gets soft and starts to clump up.
•Add 1/2 the bag of powdered cheese that came with the mac’n’cheese. Stir until all the clumps are gone and the noodles are evenly cheesed.
•Pour mac’n’cheese into the casserole dish.
•Sprinkle with paprika and black pepper.
•Top with green beans and lightly cover with bread crumbs.
•Bake in the over for 8-12 minutes. Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional Content (amounts are approx. depending on brands used)
Calories: 270
Fat: 1.5g
Sodium: 373mg
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 21g
This looks excellent. Any other vegetables that you can sub for the green beans?
Absolutely! Try broccoli if you want something with a little more texture (the petite flores work best or just chop it up really well if you buy fresh) or try chopped up bell peppers for something more unique and colorful (also boosts vitamin content).