Mac and Cheese for Grownups

So I mentioned mac and cheese a few days ago, and my boyfriend has been wanting it ever since. I finally gave in, so we're having a tasty mac and cheese for grownups (ie. not from a blue box, with a bit of a kick). It tasted delicious as I was making it, and it's even better when its done!

Ingredients:

Bread crumbs, dry, grated, seasoned
0.3 x 1 cup (120g) ($0.25)

Butter, salted
4.0 x 1 tbsp (14g) ($0.10)

Cheese, low fat, cheddar or colby
1.5 x 1 cup, shredded (113g) ($0.50)

Cheese, mozzarella, part skim milk, low moisture
1.0 x 1 cup, shredded (132g) ($0.75)

Cheese, parmesan, dry grated, reduced fat
0.5 x 1 cup (100g) ($0.50)

Macaroni, vegetable, dry, enriched
2.0 x 1 cup spiral shaped (84g) ($0.50)

Milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin A
2.0 x 1 cup (244g) ($0.50)

Salt, table
0.75 x 1 tsp (6g) (negl. $)

Sauce, ready-to-serve, pepper or hot
3.0 x 1 tsp (4g) ($0.05)

Sour cream, fat free
2.5 x 1 ounce (28g) ($0.75)

Spices, chili powder
2.0 x 1 tsp (2g) (negl. $)

Spices, pepper, black
0.5 x 1 tsp (2g) (negl. $)

Wheat flour, white, all-purpose, enriched, unbleached
0.25 x 1 cup (125g) ($0.05)

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375. Cook pasta in pot, then drain. Melt 2 tbsp butter in sauce pan, add flour. Mix in flour, milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add cheeses. Mix well, until all cheese is melted. Add drained pasta to mix, coat well. In separate bowl, combine 2 tbsp melted butter, bread crumbs, and chili powder. Dice tomatoes. Pour cheese/pasta mixture into shallow baking dish. Spread diced tomatoes on top, and sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top. Bake for 25 minutes, let stand for 10 before serving.

Cost:
Total cost: $3.95
Cost per serving: $0.50
Note: this is very filling, so if had with a salad, you really only need one serving. We ate about 3 servings between the two of us.

Nutrition Facts:
click here

So in short, maybe not so good for your heart if you eat it every day, but still pretty delicious for a treat once in a while. The hot sauce adds an excellent zing. I highly recommend this dish for anyone who likes macaroni and cheese (or even just cheese...)

On a side note, I got an interview today! It went really well, and I hope to hear in the next couple weeks. I'm looking forward to it!