Mac & No Cheese: 4 Weight Watchers Smart Points / 4 Points Plus (approximately 6 servings)

I’ve been awol.  Two of my reasons for beginning this journey have been in and out of the hospital.  And I am the medical power of attorney for both.  And the primary care taker.  And bonus…they couldn’t be anywhere near each other.  I’m so giddy to be at home sitting on my barstool typing and watching a new episode of Criminal Minds that it’s almost obnoxious.

If you read my Story Behind the Egg you know about my parent’s health issues.  Four weeks ago yesterday my father received the blessing of a new to him kidney. Three weeks ago my mother’s circulation complication from diabetes turned into an infection.  A week ago her infection was diagnosed as MRSA.  Your health starts now.

I won’t bore you with the details because I have the night off  from parent watch 2016.  Just know this.  I am not burdening my husband and my daughter with healthcare concerns because of diet and lifestyle choices I’ve made or will make.  I am fighting this destiny kicking and screaming.  Or maybe I’m fighting it walking and tracking.  However it happens I’m not going down easy.   But for now, back to the food!

My mother, Nana, has made significant strides in her health by becoming vegan at the ripe young age of 75.  I am not vegan but I do enjoy her yummy creations.  To date there has been exactly one non meat, non dairy creation that I did not devour.  This was not it.

Before Nana got so sick several weeks ago she announced she was making Mac & Cheese for our weekly Saturday night get together.  Sure Nana sure.  Because vegan cheese is so melty.  And so cheesy.  Sure.  Then she revealed the kicker…it had no cheese.  None.  Nada.  Not even soy cheez.  Say what Nana?

Mac & No Cheese:  4 Weight Watchers Smart Points / 4 Points Plus (6 servings approximately 1 cup each)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked Barilla Plus Elbows
• 1 cup Onions
• 1 cup Red Bell Peppers
• 3/4 cup Celery
• 3/4 cup Bragg Nutritional Yeast
• 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
• 2 cups So Delicious Almond + Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
• 3 drops Franks Red Hot Sauce
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• Non stick spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 pan with non stick spray. Cook pasta according to directions adding onion, celery and peppers during the last 10 minutes to soften.  Drain.  In a separate small saucepan mix remaining dry ingredients.  Whisk in milk and heat to medium. Continue to whisk until smooth.  Add mustard and Franks Hot Sauce. Continue heating over medium and whisking for 10 minutes or until thickened.  Pour over the macaroni and vegetables and mix well.  Spread the mixture in the baking dish and sprinkle with paprika.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes.  Serve while warm and watch your guests be amazed…it tastes like cheese!

For Points Plus values, all nutritional information and additions to my Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Costco and more Smart Points database use my If You Have an Egg app!

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