Lisa Lillien is the author of the popular Hungry Girl website andemail newsletter, featuring smart, funny advice on guilt-free eating. She is also the author of nine books, six of which debuted at number one on theNew York TimesBest Sellers list. Read herPEOPLE.comblog every Monday for slimmed-down celebrity recipes and more.
While I love a [premium title=”good bowl of cheesy pasta” url=”https://www.people.com/people/premium/celebfood/recipe/0,,20710741,00.html”], I don’t exactly feel like getting up and dancing on the bar after eating one. (Not that I would do this anyway. Yikes! This is how rumors get started.)
If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to this spicy, starchy dish, I’ve got one. Mine is loaded up with extra veggies, and the sauce is made from reduced-fat cheeses. Don’t worry, it’s made with real pasta and plenty of spicy peppers… YUM!
‘Til next time… Chew the right thing!
Hungry Girl’s Spiced-Up CheesyMacMakes 4 servings
3 cups frozen cauliflower florets4 ½ oz. (about 1 1/4 cups) uncooked high-fiber elbow macaroni¼ cup thinly sliced jalapeño, seeds removed, plus more for garnish1 tbsp. chopped garlic4 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese2 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese¼ tsp. each salt and black pepper
- Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Uncover and stir. Re-cover and microwave for 2 – 3 minutes, until hot. Drain excess liquid. Roughly chop cauliflower, return to the bowl, cover to keep warm.2. In a medium-large pot, cook pasta per package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta, and stir into cauliflower. Cover to keep warm.3. If needed, clean pot. Spray with nonstick spray, and bring to medium-high heat. Cook and stir jalapeño for 2 minutes.4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add garlic, and cook and stir until jalapeño and garlic are lightly browned, about 1 minute.5. Reduce heat to low. Add pasta-cauliflower mixture, cheese wedges, cheese slices, salt, and pepper, breaking the wedges and slices into pieces. Cook and stir until cheeses have melted, mixed, and coated pasta and cauliflower, about 3 minutes.6. Serve and enjoy!
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source: people.com
