Spinach & Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese

My husband loves macaroni and cheese and would eat it every week if I made it for him. I happen to enjoy it as well but know it's really not the healthiest dish to eat. When I do make it, I try to add veggies or come up with ways to make it more nutritional. This spinach and artichoke mac n cheese sounded delicious and I knew I had to try it out. We had this with some baked spicy buffalo chicken breasts.


Spinach & Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese
Serves: 8
http://cassiecraves.blogspot.com/2010/07/spinach-and-artichoke-macaroni-and.html

Ingredients
1 pound whole grain/whole wheat penne or elbow pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons light butter
1 large onion, finely diced
3 cloves of garlic, finely diced
3 tablespoons white whole wheat flour or all purpose flour
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
2 cups skim or reduced fat milk
1 10oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained of all liquid
1 can chopped artichoke hearts, drained
2 cups reduced fat italian cheese blend, shredded
1 cup reduced fat grated parmesan cheese

Directions
-Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain and set aside.
-Place a stockpan over medium heat with olive oil and butter. Add onion and garlic and saute for about 10 minutes, or until softened.
-Turn heat to medium high and add flour. Cook for 1 minute and then whisk in the chicken broth. Cook 1 more minute.
-Add milk and whisk entire mixture together until boiling and bubbly.
-Add veggies and salt and pepper to the bubbly mixture. You want the mixture to be thick so it takes a few minutes.
-Add cheeses to the mixture and stir together until melted and combined.
-Add cooked pasta and stir until all combined.
-Serve hot

You may wish to add additional grated parmesan on top when it is done.

Enjoy! :)