Name: Reduced-Fat Macaroni and Cheese
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , melted; 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (3 ounces); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese; 1 tablespoon table salt plus an additional 1/2 teaspoon; 1/2 pound elbow macaroni; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon powdered mustard; 2 1/2 cups skim milk; 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)

Why This Recipe Works

Most recipes for reduced-fat macaroni and cheese fall short on taste and texture. We found a recipe that tastes delicious, but isn't nearly as rich. Instead of using whole milk and heavy cream in this recipe, we used skim milk thickened with a roux. Low-fat cheddar cheese and Parmesan added a complex flavor to the macaroni and cheese without the added fat. We added part-skim ricotta cheese to add a creamy texture to this reduced-fat version. By making these substitutions in our recipe for reduced-fat macaroni and cheese we cut the calories and fat by more than half.

Instructions

For the Topping: Toss bread crumbs with butter in small bowl until combined. Set aside.

For the Macaroni and Cheese: In food processor or blender, process cheddar, Parmesan, and ricotta until no large pieces of cheese remain, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and set aside.

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and macaroni and cook until tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain macaroni and leave in colander.

In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add flour and mustard and cook, whisking to combine ingredients, until mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, slowly add milk and Tabasco, if using, and bring to full boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking frequently, until mixture becomes slightly thicker than heavy cream, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Whisk in cheese mixture and 1/2 teaspoon salt until cheese is melted. Add pasta and cook, stirring constantly, over medium-low heat, until mixture is steaming, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer mixture to broilersafe 8-inch-square baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning. Cool 2 minutes. Serve.