HEALTHY COLORFUL MAC & CHEESE
PREP 15 MIN - COOK 25 MIN
4 Servings

How to make
Bring a pot of water to the boil, add a pinch of salt and cook pasta according to packet instructions. Add broccoli in last two minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving some of the water and set aside.
At the same time, heat a non-stick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes to caramelise.
Add flour and mustard and cook, stirring for a minute.
Stirring constantly, gradually add milk and continue to whisk for 5 minutes or until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Adjust seasoning.
Add drained pasta and broccoli, spinach, two thirds of the cheese (reserving the rest for the topping) and all the parmesan and stir to combine. You may need to add a little pasta water if too thick. Adjust seasonings and transfer to a heat proof dish.
Preheat grill.
In a small bowl, combine remaining cheese, almond meal and oregano and season with salt and pepper.
Scatter over pasta and place under grill for 5 minutes or until golden.
Toss salad leaves with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Divide pasta between plates and serve with salad.
Ingredients
350g macaroni or small elbow pasta (or gluten free)
450g broccoli cut into small florets
1 tbs olive oil
1 onion finely chopped
4 garlic cloves finely chopped
1⁄3 cup (45g) plain flour (or gluten-free if required)
1 1⁄2 tbs Dijon mustard
3 cups (750ml) milk, reduced fat (or dairy-free alternative)
salt & pepper, to taste
3 cups (120g) baby spinach leaves
1 cup (120g) cheddar cheese grated
1⁄2 cup (60g) parmesan grated
1⁄2 cup (50g) almond meal
3 tsp dried oregano
100g mixed salad leaves
2 tsp lemon juice