Lighter Macaroni and Cheese

I was inspired by a pouch of baby food. Ran some google searches. Took the lazy route. I could shave off a few more calories and lower the fat if I start with a homemade base. I wasn't sure if I should go through all the peeling and chopping if no one was going to like it. T liked it. I made sure before I revealed the secret ingredient. Lil'T did not eat it. At all. A noodle didn't even make it near his mouth. But neither did the fattier version I made weeks ago.

Lazy Butternut Squash Mac 'n Cheese

2 C Butternut Squash Soup from the box
2 C whole wheat pasta (I used rotini, ww elbows are hard to find in these parts)
1 C shredded cheddar
1 C shredded mozzarella
1 C low fat (or non fat) Cottage cheese.
Some breadcrumbs
Paprika
Black pepper
Sage

Preheat oven to 425 and prepare 8 inch square dish or similar casserole dish. Boil the noodles for four minutes or half their cooking time. Drain and set aside. Heat soup. Add cheeses to the soup until melted. Stir in noodles and transfer mixture to prepared dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes.

I turned the oven off but did not remove the dish so ours was well done. Eek. Next time I'll do better.

What kind of kid doesn't like Mac n cheese?? He'd probably love the blue box easy Mac stuff. Lil'T snubs homemade pancakes, muffins, and French toast. Not that he's had a packaged version of any of the afore mentioned. Hmm. Green beans and broccoli it is!