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Healthier Masala Mac and Cheese

A healthier, low carb mac and cheese with masala spice.
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Indian, Indian Fusion

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz box lentil pasta You can use any pasta (whole wheat, regular, brown rice)
  • 1 tblsp plus 1 tsp oil
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 medium red onion Chopped in medium slices. You can use a white or yellow onion instead.
  • 1 medium to large bell pepper chopped into medium or large slices. You can use any color. I used mini peppers to equal one large bell pepper.
  • 1 1/2 tblsp chickpea flour
  • 2 cups mild cheddar cheese You can use other types of cheese. See notes in blog post.
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp salt, plus 1/4 tsp extra salt. depending on taste.
  • 2-3 pinches cayenne pepper depending on taste.
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder You can use garlic if you do not have garlic powder.
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp cumin powder

Instructions
 

  • Start boiling water for pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it exactly according to the package ingredients. During the later steps remember to drain and rinse the pasta once it is done.
  • Add 1 tsp oil to pan. Turn on heat to med. Once the oil is hot, add the the onions, lower heat a bit and stir as needed.
  • Once the onions are softer (about 5 min) add the bell pepper, cumin and 1/4 tsp salt and stir as needed. During this time remember to drain and rinse your pasta once it is done cooking according to package instructions. When the onion and bell pepper are both softer, turn the heat to very low and let it sit until you add it to the cheese sauce later. Stir as needed until the heat lowers.
  • Add the 1 tblsp pasta to a separate pan and turn on heat to medium.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the chickpea flour and stir into a roux.
  • Add the milk, turmeric, and garlic powder and stir. Turn up heat as needed to bring the milk to a boil
  • Once the milk is boiling, lower the heat a bit so that it is still on a light boil but not sputtering. start adding the cheese, about a handful at a time and stir after each handful.
  • After you add all the cheese and stir, the mixture should be thicker. Add the garam masala and salt and stir. It should still be slightly boiling at this point.
  • Lower the heat. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir and let it cook for a couple minutes.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper mix to the cheese and pasta. You can either mix it in or just add it on top.
  • Serve while hot.
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