What’s for dinner? Try this healthy mac and cheese pasta bake

If you are looking for something easy, healthy and affordable to cook tonight, look no further.

Starting this week The Pulse will be sharing delicious recipes as part of our delivery of NSW Health’s Make Healthy Normal campaign at Western Sydney Local Health District.

They will also be available on recipe cards at Vinnies stores in western Sydney, free of charge.

Our first recipe is a delicious mac and cheese pasta bake … enjoy!

EASY MAC & CHEESE PASTA BAKE

Cook time: 45 mins

Feeds: 4

INGREDIENTS

1 x 500g packet macaroni pasta

1 x 500g packet frozen cauliflower and broccoli

4 x slices ham, diced

60g margarine

1/3 cup plain white flour

2 and 1/2 cups reduced fat milk

2 cups reduced fat cheese, grated

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 200°C. Boil pasta in a large saucepan for 10-12 mins or until tender. Add frozen cauliflower and broccoli in the last two minutes of cooking. Drain well.

• While the pasta is cooking, heat a large non-stick frying pan and cook ham, stirring occasionally until crisp. Remove ham from pan.

• Add margarine to pan, once foaming add flour and stir for five minutes until mixture is combined and golden, with no lumps. Remove from heat and gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring back to heat and cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce boils and thickens. Turn off heat and add cheese.

• Stir macaroni, vegetables and ham into the sauce. Pour into a baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Serve with garden salad.