Mac and Cheese Florentine

Ingredients

• 1/2 (1-ounce) slice white bread
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup thinly sliced onion
• 1 cup frozen chopped leaf spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 1 cup uncooked)

Preparation

1. Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/4 cup. Combine breadcrumbs and butter, stirring to coat.
2. Preheat broiler.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add spinach, juice, nutmeg, and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine milk and flour, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add milk mixture to spinach mixture, stirring constantly; bring to a boil. Add cheese, salt, and pepper; cook 30 seconds or until cheese melts, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in pasta. Spoon the mixture into a 1-quart soufflé dish coated with cooking spray. Top evenly with breadcrumb mixture.
4. Broil for 3 minutes or until lightly browned.