Healthier Veggie Mac & Cheese

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 8 Servings

what would some of our favorite comfort food classics looks like if we asked a nutritionist to give them a makeover? In this series of recipes, you see how smart choices around vegetables, meats, and cheese make for a lighter, more nutritious take on everything from mac and cheese to meatloaf without ever compromising the flavor.

Ingredients

4 cups broccoli florets (about 20 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried pasta shells
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 2% milk
5 1/2 ounces fresh goat cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups low-fat plain Greek yogurt
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup seasoned dried breadcrumbs
Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, for serving

Instructions

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Place the broccoli on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with the oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Spread into an even layer and roast until fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta.
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until tender. Drain and transfer the pasta to a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the milk and whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add the goat cheese and dried basil and whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat, add the yogurt, and stir until well-combined. Stir in the roasted red peppers.
Increase the oven temperature to broil. Place the roasted broccoli evenly over the pasta. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the pasta and broccoli. Sprinkle evenly with the breadcrumbs and broil until browned and toasted on top, about 5 minutes (check halfway through). Sprinkle with the fresh basil before serving.