Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

I love Italian cooking and I love cheese so it's only natural that one of my favorite comfort foods is Mac & Cheese. This version calls for sweet potatoes, which I never would have thought previously to use in my Mac & Cheese. Check out the recipe below!

Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

::Ingredients::

• 2 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni 
• 1 medium sweet potato
• 2 cups non fat milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1.2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 3 tablespoons coarse dry whole wheat breadcrumbs (see below for DIY recipe)
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Breadcrumbs

• Trim crusts from whole wheat bread---One slice of bread makes about 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
• Tear pieces and process in food processor until cars crumbs form
• Spread on baking sheet 250 degrees until dry (10-15 minutes)

::Directions::

1. Position a rack in upper this of oven. Preheat broiler and coat a 2 quart broker safe baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until just tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, prick sweet potato with a fork in several places. Microwave on High until tender all the way to the center, 7 to 10 minutes. If you do not have a microwave or prefer not to use one, you can boil or bake the potato until soft.
4. Whisk milk, flour and garlic in a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until steaming and hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat.
5. As soon as the sweet potato is cool enough to handle, cut open and scoop the flesh into the steaming milk. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, transfer to a blender and puree just until smooth, then return to the pot; use caution when pureeing hot liquids.)
6. Add cheese, mustard, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese melts. Add the pasta and peas to the sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs and oil and sprinkle on the pasta. Broil on the upper rack until the top is lightly browned and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes.

Happy Eating

Signed

Tiesha