Healthified Mac and Cheese

 

I am always on the hunt for new fresh ideas and spins on the classics.  I can’t eat traditional pasta anymore with my stomach issues.  This Healthy spin on Mac and Cheese was an fantastic way to enjoy a household favorite and to get my kids to eat their broccoli.  This sneaky momma even added an extra boost of Greens using the Shakeology Power Greens and they had NO CLUE.  The entire family devoured it and asked for seconds.  I call that…A Mommy WIN!

I used a recipe from the 21 Day Fix cookbook, FIXATE, and added my own little spin to it.  I decided to top it with a little extra cheese, put it in a baking dish and broil it for about 5-10 minutes to create that added crunchiness to the top.  DELISH!!!

 

What you NEED!

 

4 oz.       Quinoa Pasta, elbows

4 tsp       Organic Grass-fed butter

(or extra virgin organic Coconut Oil)

2 tbsp    All purpose Gluten Free flour (garbonzo bean flour)

(or any whole wheat flour if you are not gluten free)

1 1/2c      unsweetened almond milk

2 c           fresh grated White Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

(or any combo of cheeses Cheddar & Gouda, Monterey Jack, Asiago)

3 c          organic boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked & cubed

4 c          chopped broccoli florets, steamed

1 tsp       Himalayan salt

1/2 tsp   Ground black pepper

1 scoop   Shakeology Boost Power Greens

 

 

What You DO:

 

Pre-heat oven to Broil.

 

Cook the pasta according the the directions on the package.

 

Steam Broccoli in a medium pot with a 1/2 cup of water until tender.

 

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add Flour and cook until brown, about 1 minute whisking the whole time.  Slowly whisk in almond milk and continue to whisk until thickened and there are no lumps.  Reduce heat to low.  Add scoop of power greens and whisk until completely mixed in.  Add 1 1/4  cup of cheese and whisk for about 2-3 minutes until melted.

 

Add chicken, broccoli, and pasta to the pan; mix up until completely coated with cheese sauce.  Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with 3/4 cup of cheese.

 

Place in the oven and broil until the cheese topping is crispy and slightly browned.  Do not burn.  Watch it because it happens fast! Each oven is different.  Mine takes about 6 minutes.   Remove and let it cool.  Serve and enjoy!

 

xoxo

Lauren