Masterful Mac 'n' Cheese

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb macaroni (preferably whole wheat)
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4-1/2 cup orange puree (my take on sneaky orange puree and or sneaky chef make-ahead puree)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated colby cheese (or cheddar cheese)
• 1 cup whole grain cereal flake (like wheaties or total)
• 1/4 cup wheat germ, unsweetened
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, diced into small pieces (or use smart balance)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375*f.
• 2 butter a 9" square baking pan.
• 3 bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, until firm and slightly undercooked(8-10 minutes). drain and set aside.
• 4 in a large bowl, whisk the milk with the oange puree and salt.(and puree if using-if using both use 1/4 cup each). put half the macaroni into the baking pan and top with half colby(or cheddar) cheese.
• 5 next, layer with the rest of the macaroni, then pour the milk mixture over the top, finishing with the last of the cheese on top.
• 6 if using crunchy topping variation, use a rolling pin to gently crush cereal in a sealed plastic bag. or, you can quickly pulse the cereal in a food processor. add wheat germ and parmesan to the bag and shake to mix.
• 7 sprinkle crumb mixture on top of macaroni and cheese and dot with butter.
• 8 bake 30-35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.