Since making my Skinny Pizza Pasta Bake a few weeks ago (which seemed to get a great response) I decided to whip together another little somethin’ somethin’ with Banza Chickpea Pasta. As if the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect, what then shows up at my doorstep? A Banza Mac & Cheese variety case!
So instead of a “from scratch” recipe I went the whole semi-homemade route, and it turned out incredible. But then again, what dish that includes bacon isn’t incredible…
What you’ll need:
- 1 box Banza Deluxe Mac & Cheese *
- 5 slices bacon (I used Applegate Reduced Sodium Sunday Bacon) **
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
* You could use one of the other varieties, but this one actually was lowest in calories.
** You could use turkey bacon, but I think regular bacon is more “worth it!”
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Toss the broccoli in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet.
- Place bacon strips on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the bacon for 10-15 minutes, or until crispy (you could pan fry, but the baking method is so much easier!).
- Roast the broccoli for 15-20 minutes, or until edges brown and crispy.
- While the bacon and broccoli are in the oven, prepare the Banza Mac & Cheese and instructed on the box.
- Combine the mac & cheese, broccoli and crumbled bacon and place in a casserole dish.
- OPTIONAL: bake the casserole for another 5-10 minutes to get a crispy top.
The result TASTES like naughty Mac & Cheese, but it’s gluten free, high in fiber and protein, and you even get some greens in there with the broccoli! The entire recipe comes out to about 1000 calories, which means each serving is only 250-350 calories. Not bad, huh?
Want to try Banza Mac & Cheese for yourself? Use my promo code HUNGRYBLONDE to receive 25% off your order at EatBanza.com!
