Meatless Monday Recipe: Broccoli Basil Mac and Cheese

Another Happy Meatless Monday! Today I wanted to share an incredibly gorgeous and modern take on a family friendly comfort food classic: Broccoli Basil Mac and Cheese. This cozy, yet waistline friendly, casserole is the perfect winter meal for the adults and children in your home, loaded with creamy and melty cheese as well as nutrient packed fresh squash, basil, broccoli and tomatoes. Feel free to get creative with the vegetables and cheeses so suite your family’s preferences. Because there are a number of steps involved, this dish is best made during the weekend and served throughout your busy week (and there should be more than enough for amazing leftovers!).  Photo from: 101cookbooks.com Broccoli Basil Mac and Cheese Recipe from: www.101cookbooks.com  Makes 8-10 servings Ingredients: 1 small butternut, acorn, or other winter squash, peeled, seeded and cut into tiny chunks 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ C basil, stems removed 2 slices good brown bread, stale or dried 1/2 a small head of broccoli, roughly chopped ¼ C light sour cream 1 3/4 cups grated white cheddar cheese 1 3/4 cups grated gruyere cheese 1 C cherry tomatoes 3 C (whole wheat) macaroni elbows Directions: Preheat your oven to 400F with a rack in the middle. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Place the squash on a large baking sheet, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden. In the meantime, pulse ½ the basil, bread, broccol...
Source: Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog - Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Authors: Tags: food nutrition recipes cheese healthy food healthy recipe mac and cheese macaroni vegetables vegetarian Source Type: blogs