Weight Watchers Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

Who doesn't love macaroni and cheese?  I mean seriously it's absolutely delicious and the best part about the Weight Watchers Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli recipe is that it is healthy!  This recipe is absolutely delicious possibly one of my favorite Weight Watcher recipes and if you don't like broccoli just follow the directions without adding broccoli and the points plus value will not be changed.

What you need:

2 sprays cooking spray

12 oz uncooked pasta, gemelli or other twisted pasta (about 2 ½ cups) (I used wheat pasta)

1/8 tsp table salt, for pasta cooking water

10 oz uncooked broccoli, small florets (about 2 ½ cups)

1 tsp salted butter

1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs

3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2 ½ cups fat free skim milk

1/3 cup all purpose flour

½ cup uncooked onion, diced

1 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp-variety

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 ½ tsp table salt

½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water according to package directions, adding broccoli to water 3 minutes before pasta will be done; drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until light golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer crumbs to a small bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and set aside.

In same saucepan (wipe clean if necessary), whisk together milk and flour until blended; add onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and whisk in cheddar cheese, mustard, salt, pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Pour over cooked, drained pasta and broccoli; toss to mix and coat.

Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs. Bake until bubbly at edges, about 20 to 25 minutes. Divide into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving. One serving is 7 points plus.