Pumpkin & lentil macaroni 'n' cheese
- 2 cups butternut pumpkin, diced into 3cm cubes
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 3 cups spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 600g no-added-salt lentils, drained and rinsed
- 300g macaroni
- 1 3/4 cup reduced fat milk
- 1/2 cup wholemeal plain flour
- 3/4 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon parsley, chopped, to serve
- Cook pumpkin in a saucepan of boiling water for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup liquid.
- While pumpkin is cooking, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add spinach and cook, stirring until wilted.
- Place pumpkin, onion, garlic, spinach, 1/2 cup reserved liquid, parsley and lentils into a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Cook macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling water, following packet instructions, until just tender. Drain well and return to the saucepan.
- While macaroni is cooking, add 1-cup milk to a separate saucepan and slowly heat over medium-low heat. Add plain flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk, and continue to heat on low for 4-5 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove saucepan from the heat and whisk in cheddar cheese and pepper, until cheese is melted.
- Pour the pureed pumpkin and cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir until well coated. Serve immediately with chopped parsley.
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