"Healthified" Spinach and Rice Casserole

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15 ratings : 3 reviews

Broccoli Mac 'n Cheese

Best Life Diet approved recipe! This grown-up version of mac 'n cheese is made with whole wheat pasta, broccoli and red bell pepper. It's sure to be a favorite! From eatbetteramerica.

Prep Time:25 min

Start to Finish:40 min

makes:6 servings (1 2/3 cups each)

2 1/3	cups uncooked whole wheat penne pasta (8 oz)
1	small red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1	bag (24 oz) Green Giant® frozen broccoli & three cheese sauce
2	cups cubed cooked chicken
1/4	cup fat-free (skim) milk
1/8	teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/3	cup Progresso® plain bread crumbs
3	tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2	teaspoon Italian seasoning
1	tablespoon olive oil

1.	Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta as directed on package--except omit salt and add bell pepper last 3 minutes of cook time. Drain; return to saucepan.
2.	Meanwhile, cook broccoli & cheese sauce as directed on bag. Stir cooked broccoli mixture, chicken, milk and ground red pepper into pasta. Pour into baking dish.
3.	In small bowl, stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning; stir in oil, using fork. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top of pasta mixture.
4.	Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until top is golden brown and pasta is hot.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutritional Information

1 Serving: Calories 340 (Calories from Fat 80); Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 2 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 560mg; Total Carbohydrate 41g (Dietary Fiber 6g, Sugars 6g); Protein 24g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 70%; Calcium 15%; Iron 15% Exchanges: 2 Starch; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 1 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 3
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

MyPyramid Servings 2 oz-equivalents Meat & Beans, 1 tsp Fats & Oils, 2 oz-equivalents Grains

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3 Reviews

Just add a little

Your right about the chezzy thing but instead of adding cheese and some pepper flakes for a little zest
Posted at 8:06 AM on April 28 2008 by Imyoungandfat ,

Good, but not cheezy

I enjoyed this recipe, but I was expecting mac and cheese and it was more just noodles and veggies with a slight taste of cheese. It was better on the second day. I just added a little more cheese. :)
Posted at 9:35 AM on February 18 2008 by , Eugene OR

It was very good and easy to fix. My picky kids even liked it and the peppers too!
Posted at 9:35 AM on September 20 2007 by Great! , joplin MO