Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Mac and Cheese and the Bun In the Oven!


There's big news in our house! I'm expecting baby number two! The little one is due in November. Actually, Thanksgiving day, to be exact. I think that should make for a very interesting Thanksgiving! My hubby and I are very excited and our 18-month old, well, doesn't really understand yet. All in good time!

I'm going through that first trimester funk right now. I don't have much of an appetite for the things I normally like. And the smells of certain foods are real turn-offs. My poor husband has been cooking dinner practically every night. The energy to cook just doesn't really exist right now. Gosh, I can't wait for this to end!

I did make something recently that I really enjoyed, though. A low calorie Mac and Cheese that was surprisingly tasty! So tasty that I had to pull myself off the couch to tell you about it. I really can't believe it's light because it's so good and so easy.


Macaroni and Cheese
(from Southern Living)

4 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 8 ozs. uncooked), cooked without salt or fat
2 cups (8 ozs.) shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup fat-free milk
2 Tbsp. grated fresh onion
1 and 1/2 tsps. reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup fresh or dry breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp. reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1/4 tsp. paprika

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine first 10 ingredients; stir well. Spoon into a shallow 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray.

3. Combine breadcrumbs, 1 Tbsp. margarine, and paprika; stir well. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over casserole. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover casserole, bake an additional 5 minutes or until breadcrumbs are lightly browned.

Makes 6 servings.

17 comments:

Heather said...

congratulations on the bambino (or bambina)!! How exciting :) And that mac n cheese looks good, too :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your exciting news! I love the idea of cottage cheese in the mac & cheese.

Tina Butler said...

Congrats, how exciting a little turkey baby LOL. The Mac and Cheese looks so good.

Megan said...

What a fabulous Thanksgiving present. Congrats!

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

Woohoo!!! Congratulations! :) Your 18 months will never remember what was like to be an only child for a while! :)

Cathy said...

Congratulations Melissa! Such exciting news! Hope you get your appetite and energy back soon. The mac & cheese looks great :-)

Reeni said...

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you!! Your mac 'n' cheese looks yummy. Such a lovely golden brown crust on top!

Teanna said...

CONGRATULATIONS! That mac and cheese looks AWESOME by the way... I've never heard of a recipe with cottage cheese! I hope you enjoy it many, many times through your pregnancy... with pickles. :)

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog, wow, what a treat. I am also due on Thanksgiving day (my first though). I look forward to following your recipes throughout my pregnancy.

Allie said...

WOOHOO I'm so excited for you! Congrats to you and your growing family!! The mac and chesse looks so yummy!

Pamela said...

YEAH!!!! Congratulations to you and your family!! This is big news, that's for sure. A healthier version of mac & cheese is always welcome here! Feel good and take care.

Elyse said...

CONGRATS! What wonderful news. I'm so excited for you. Congrats, congrats, congrats. Can't wait to hear more updates as everything progresses. This mac 'n cheese looks totally delicious; hard to believe it's "cooking light." Yum!

Ginger said...

Feel better!! Even though I have 20 and 17 year old sons, I certainly remember what you are feeling like. Thanks for posting the Mac and Cheese. I really like the sound of the ingredients and can't wait to try it!!

farah said...

Congratulations :)

TeaLady said...

How exciting. Congrats.

Mac and Cheese looks really good.

Unknown said...

I am soooo late, but CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you all! My sons are 18 months a part. They are the best of friends. I love to see them playing together. Your hubby cooks? Kudos to him. I am really so happy for you. Take care, get lots of sleep, and I am keeping my fingers cross that your blahs go away soon! The smell of meat and my beloved coffee used to send me running...

Tish said...

Congratulations! I hope your funk goes away soon. The mac and cheese looks so creamy! Yum.