BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese

Name: BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 2 slices fat-free Cheddar cheese; 355 milliliters 1/2 ounces (about dry uncooked whole-wheat or high-fiber penne pasta; 4 servings Salt and black pepper, optional; 2 Tbsps fat-free sour cream; 710 milliliters chopped fresh spinach; 4 wedges light spreadable Swiss cheese (recommended: The Laughing Cow Light); 3 slices turkey bacon or center-cut bacon; 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped; 2 larges yellow summer squash

BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese might be just the main course you are searching for. This recipe serves 4. One serving contains 470 calories, 22g of protein, and 25g of fat. Head to the store and pick up wedges spreadable swiss cheese, high-fiber penne pasta, salt and pepper, and a few other things to make it today. To use up the sour cream you could follow this main course with the Sour Cream Apple Pie as a dessert. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes roughly 40 minutes.

Instructions

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove.

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Stove

Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 4 minutes per side. Once cool enough to handle, crumble or chop and set aside.

Ingredients you will need

Bacon

In a large pot, prepare pasta al dente (firm) according to the instructions on the package.

Ingredients you will need

Pasta

Equipment you will use

Pot

Drain well, return to the pot, and cover to keep warm.

Equipment you will use

Pot

While water comes to a boil and while pasta cooks, cut squash into pieces similar to the size of penne, about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch thick.

Ingredients you will need

Squash

Pasta

Penne

Water

Spray a large skillet (with a lid) with nonstick spray, and bring to medium heat on the stove.

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Stove

Add squash, cover, and cook for 5 minutes, occasionally uncovering to stir.

Ingredients you will need

Squash

Add spinach and tomato to the skillet, re-cover, and continue to cook for about 1 minute.

Ingredients you will need

Spinach

Tomato

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach has wilted, tomatoes are soft, and excess liquid has cooked off, about 3 minutes. If needed, drain any excess liquid. Set aside.

Ingredients you will need

Tomato

Spinach

Place cheese wedges in a microwave-safe bowl and stir to break them up.

Ingredients you will need

Cheese

Equipment you will use

Microwave

Bowl

Add sour cream and cheese slices, breaking cheese slices into pieces as you add them. Microwave for 30 seconds, and then stir thoroughly. Microwave for another 30 seconds, or until cheeses have fully melted.

Ingredients you will need

Sour Cream

Cheese

Equipment you will use

Microwave

Mix until smooth.

Add cheese mixture and cooked veggies to the pasta. Toss to coat. Top with bacon. If needed, bring to desired temperature on the stove. If you like, season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ingredients you will need

Salt And Pepper