Step 3: Healthy Comfort Food

I had an entire head of cauliflower that needed to be used up. Its a chilly night, and I was craving something healthy YET hearty.

I present you, Healthy Mac’n’Cheese with Tomatoes and Extra Lean Ground Beef.

I should have used a white dish to photograph this… it looks pretty BLAH in the picture!

Ingredients

• 1 box whole wheat macaroni noodles
• 1 can fat free evaporated milk
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 cup low fat old cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• salt and pepper

Method

1. Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Brown and set aside.
2. Cook macaroni as per directions. Add the cauliflower during the last 4 minutes of cooking.
3. For the sauce, Wisk flour and mustard powder into evaporated milk over medium heat. Continue to wisk until sauce thickens and becomes bubbly. Reduce heat to low and add cheese. Set aside.
4. Combine macaroni/cauliflower mixture with ground beef and tomatoes. Add cheese sauce. Mix well.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

I love this dish. Its easy to enjoy it, and not feel TOO guilty as its low fat and full of nutrition. The only thing not core in this recipe is the flour and the cheese.

This makes a HUGE pot, so its also a nice dish to make on a Sunday to give you plenty of leftovers for lunches.

I must say, I think I’ve bounced back from my sugar hangover pretty well today. Feeling MUCH better. I’m off to chug some more water and enjoy a little TV with my hubby. I’m trying to get into NCIS Los Angeles (I love Chris O’Donnell), but thus far its kinda boring.