My go-to Mac & Cheese

Hubby forgot to bring his lunch today, so in anticipation of his rumbling tummy arriving home, I made two of his favourite dishes: oven fries and, more importantly, mac & cheese. The recipe I use is a mishmash of "Macaroni and Cheese Not From a Box" (Clueless in the Kitchen) and Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Mac and Cheese I. Here's how it goes:

The best healthy Mac and Cheese*
Source: aforementioned mishmash
Great for: lunch or dinner
Serves: 4-6, depending on appetite (Hubby and I usually have generous first helpings, and there are leftovers for both of our lunches the next day)

3 cups macaroni (ideally whole wheat or enriched in some way)
boiling water
1/4 margarine
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk (we use 1%)
2 cups grated cheese
1 cup vegetable puree

To make your life easier, make a bunch of veggie purees ahead of time and stick them in the freezer. Cauliflower's an easy one to do, but we've also used roasted squash and sweet potato. Start by steaming the cauliflower for 10 minutes, then throw it in a food processor for 2 minutes or so, until it's smooth. Freeze in 1/2 cup portions. Defrost in the microwave.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large pot, boil the water for the macaroni, and cook the pasta for about 10 minutes. This is, conveniently, about the same amount of time required to make the cheese sauce.

In a smaller pot, melt the margarine over medium heat, then stir in the flour and cook for a minute or two. Blend in the milk and leave it to thicken, stirring occasionally. Once it starts to thicken, keep it on the heat for about five more minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and veggie puree.

When the pasta's done cooking, drain it thoroughly, then put it into a greased 3-quart casserole dish along with the cheese sauce. Mix it up right, and put it in the oven (or toaster oven, if you are also making oven fries) for half and hour. Or don't bake it at all if you're really hungry. Haven't I always said I love a forgiving recipe?

*Yes, I will take you on, KD Smart. Expect a sound trouncing on nutrition and cost per serving!

And now, an unrelated picture of me and a very sleepy toddler. This was following a Sunday afternoon walk in the freezing cold, during which she lounged cozily in her stroller under a plastic cover.
I. love. this. kid.