Macaroni and Cheese is a classic dish. A comfort food from a happy childhood. A warm, savoury plate of absolute delight.

Now I am a grown woman with a husband to keep on a low cholesterol diet and four step-kids to get vegetables into, my classic Mac and Cheese has undergone a transformation.

For the health of my family I put in less cheese and add in both vegetables and tuna. Occasionally I omit the tuna and replace with chopped ham. You may think this is a little sacrilegious but the result is a happy and healthy family at meal time.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp light canola margarine
1 medium onion
2 cloves of garlic

Quarter cup of standard flour
1 tsp mustard powder
185 gram tin of tuna in spring water
Low fat milk to taste
100 grams Edam cheese
salt and pepper to taste

3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
375 gram bag uncooked pasta spirals

In a large frying pan, over a medium heat, brown the chopped onion and crushed garlic in the canola margarine.

Add in flour and dry mustard and stir well. Add the tuna. For the milk, just add in until you get the thickness of sauce you desire. Mix in grated Edam cheese. Edam is great as it is tasty but with 25% less fat than cheddar.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.

Microwave the frozen vegetables until cooked; about six minutes for my 1500 watt oven.

Add both the vegetables and the cooked pasta to your pan and mix thoroughly.
Salt and pepper to taste
The dish is now ready to serve!

The great thing about this meal is how versatile the recipe is. You can delete ingredients for a classic taste or jazz it up even more. Just use your imagination and enjoy!

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth R Nelson.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Recipes: Macaroni and cheese?
We want to hear your view. Write now!