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Father’s Day Comfort Food With a Twist

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June 13, 2014

Father’s Day is this Sunday. And in today’s society, there are a lot of health conscious men. “Calories in equals calories out.” Or so is the mantra of some of these men. If they eat a heavy meal, they have to go to the gym for a longer workout. So, let’s serve them up a comfort food but change it up so it is a healthy comfort food.

Guiltless Cheesy Mac

This delicious mac and cheese from the Food Network incorporates cauliflower for a creamy taste with added vitamins.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely chopped cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 3 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 3 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 16-ounce bag frozen petite peas
  • 4 cups cooked multigrain elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Drain the macaroni, and then return it to the pot and keep warm.
  3. Combine cauliflower, milk, cheeses, sour cream, mustard, salt, pepper, egg whites and peas in a large bowl and mix well. Stir the mixture into the warm macaroni, letting the residual heat combine the pasta and sauce.
  4. Pour into the casserole dish and evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. Bake until the filling is hot and the top is golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

Meatball Sub Casserole

Want all the taste but none of the mess of having to eat a meatball sub? Try out this casserole with the same great taste. You can make your own meatballs, or use store bought ones. Go for the healthy meatballs and in this recipe, the family won’t even know.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1 inch thick slices
  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (regular or lowfat)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 pound package frozen meatballs, thawed
  • 1 28 ounce jar pasta sauce (your choice)
  • 1 cup water

Directions

  1. Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 13″x9″ baking pan; set aside.
  2. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings; spread over bread slices.
  3. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese; set aside.
  4. Gently mix together meatballs, spaghetti sauce and water; spoon over cheese.
  5. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  6. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Now, you can have your meatball sub without a meatball flying across the table or sauce dripping on you when you first bite into it. You start with the fork and knife!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

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