Mac Attack!! A healthier version even your Mama will LOVE!

So anyone who knows me well KNOWS that good ole home grown mac and cheese is one of my most FAVORITE things in the world to eat. Unfortunately, and I'm sure if you're reading this you can certainly attest to this as well, eating it too frequently is not very friendly for my waistline. So in my pursuits to have my comfort foods and eat them too on this wild fitness journey of mine, I have come across a little recipe I'd like to share with all my fellow Mac and Cheese lovers out there.

Mac and Cheese Lovers of the world... UNITE!! Hehe :)

What You'll Need:

• 12 oz macaroni of your choice (brown rice noodles are great here if you're gluten free)
• 1 1/2 tbsp grass fed butter (I use Kerry Gold) OR you can sub out coconut oil. Also delicious.
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1/4 cup flour (I use almond flour)
• 2 cups skim milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
• 1 cup fat free, reduced or low sodium chicken broth (vegetarians use vegetable broth)
• 8 oz (2 cups) reduced-fat sharp cheddar (2% works nicely)
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 12 oz fresh broccoli florets (I am lazy so I use the pre-cut kind in the steam bag)
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan
• 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs (crunching up a few Melba Toast crackers works really great here)
• cooking spray

What You Do With All of This:

1. Cook pasta and broccoli together, according to package directions for al dente (or slightly under cook 2 minutes). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375°. ***If you're using a pre-cut steam bag of broccoli like me, just microwave that shizz and add it to the pasta later :)

2. In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter or coconut oil. Add onion and cook over low heat about 2 minutes, add flour and cook another minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined. Add milk and chicken broth and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook about 5 minutes or until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Once the sauce is thick, remove from heat, add cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

I'd love to hear what you think of this dish. My plan? Surprise the fam and cook this bad boy for an Easter side! :)