Early this evening I had some work to do in the kitchen.
I have a freelance recipe project due on Saturday and figured I’d get a jump start and try to knock it out today.
My project had me working with ricotta cheese.
I wanted to see if I could use the creamy cheese to make a healthier version of baked macaroni and cheese and started with whole wheat pasta shells.
I omitted the mounds of butter and whole milk usually found in baked macaroni and cheese, opting instead for 2 percent milk and part-skim cheeses.
The end result tasted quite indulgent!
I promise to share the recipe with you guys once it is published because it is definitely worth attempting!
After dinner, Ryan and I took Sadie on a 40-minute walk in the chilly weather. Jackets were required on both ends which means it was legitimately cold. Ryan rarely requires layers so when he busts out a coat, I know it’s chilly.
When we got home, we curled up on the couch and watched an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition while crying chatting and doing some Banana-Grams.
I’m not gonna lie, Banana-Grams are hard! Ryan got the book in his Christmas stocking and we’re getting better at some of the word games, but others are driving us batty.
Off to attempt a few more before hopefully calling it an early night!
Omgosh, yum! Macaroni and cheese is without a doubt hands-down my most favorite comfort food. Yummy to my tummy
Can’t wait for the recipe!
Mindy @ Clueless Nut
I got the banana-grams book as a gift once. I was fun and hard.
Dusty
We’ve had banana grams for a few years but ours is a bunch of tiles in a banana shaped baggied. Its a game you play kind of like scrabble but no board.
Sarah
I just blogged about playing naner grams! LOVE that game, haha
Meg
Was just looking through your recipes to find a healthier Mac-n-cheese recipe… Can’t wait for you to publish the recipe!
Lindsey
oh my goodness, the mac ‘n’ cheese looks delicious!! i can’t wait for the recipe. my husband is a huge fan of mac ‘n’ cheese, so i’m definitely planning on making this one for him. i’m all about healthy AND indulgent!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries
I absolutely love mac and cheese… there is NO better comforrt food. Can’t wait for the recipe!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake
Mac n cheese is such a great recipe for this time of year, but after the holidays, it’s definitely nice to have a lighter version of it! Can’t wait to see the recipe.
Kathryn @ Flopoodle
I had a healthy version on mac & cheese tonight as well! I’m trying to perfect a recipe, so I am really looking forward to yours.
Interesting about the Banana Grams. I just bought it for my mom for Christmas, but we haven’t had a chance to play it. Now I am looking forward to it!
Shelly @ I Can Do It!
Anything with cheese in it is OK in my book, but anything with RICOTTA cheese in it is to die for. I tried your ricotta cheese stuffed french toast recipe a while back and it was AMAZING. Being able to eat cheese in the morning was such a bonus
Michelle @ Our Dream, Made Out of Real Things
ricotta is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with! can’t wait for this recipe.
kathleen @ the daily crumb
I’ve never heard of Banana Grams?!?!?
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
You guys are hilarious–and such a great couple! Sound a lot like me and my hubby. Hah
Can’t believe you said batty–that ROCKS my world.
And that dish looks totally delish!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife
There’s a book? I’ve played and love the game but I didn’t know about the book! How does it work?
Can’t wait to see your Mac n cheese recipe…it looks great!
Jamie @ Don’t Forget the Cinnamon
It looks wonderful. Ricotta cheese is one of my favorite things! You can do so much with it.
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes
Love bananagrams! One of the best games to take on a trip too – spent hours playing it in Haiti to pass the time in the evenings. so addictive!
I’ve never seen the book version – will have to try and find it.
I’ve just started eating dairy again and I can’t wait to try the mac and cheese recipe!
Danielle
I can’t wait for this recipe! You are so lucky to live in mild weather. When u saw what you wore on Christmas, I think I laughed out loud! Not so mild here. E
Elizabeth
I love word games! Have fun!!
Kelly
Your mac and cheese looks delicious! I can’t wait for the recipe!
Heather H. @ Run Eat Play
Yummy! I attempted a healthy mac and cheese once and it didn’t come out that well. I can’t wait to see you’re recipe!
Paula @ lipstick and lunges
Mmmmmmm that looks good! I’m craving cheesy creamy food right now
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
Maybe I am way behind, but is there a little tiny smiley face on the top right side of your page? I just saw it. So stinking cute!
Nikki
This looks sooo gooood! Definitely look forward to the recipe.
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile
I don’t even know what banana grams are! Going to research this, I LOVE word games
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Ohh that looks delicious! I can’t wait for you to post the recipe, yummm.
chelsea
My family just got Bananagrams for Christmas as well! So fun!!(even though I havent won yet), Ours came in a cute little banana bag instead of a book, but I heard there were so many games you could play with it so ill have to look more into that!
Brianne
Does it make me a terrible person to admit that I still have a soft spot for Kraft Mac & Cheese…although I think this is something I will be cooking more likely!
Khushboo
Oh I kind of like word games like that! I’ve never heard of bananagrams though haha I like the name!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
The mac & cheese looks delicious, can’t wait to see the recipe! I’ve been mixing ricotta in my regular pasta dishes (actually posting about it in the morning) to jazz up boring pasta a little…makes the sauce so creamy!
Jess @JessCantCook
Haha, your night with the bananagrams looks similar to mine. My boyfriend and I played a game of Scrabble… he is way too good for me! I definitely need to study up on my scrabble dictionary to get all of those crazy two- and three-letter words.
Michelle (Better with Berries)
Oh my good lordy that meal looks sooo yummy! I must try that as soon as you release the recipe
Karlee @ BringingBackBalance
Put cheese on anything and it becomes AMAZING in my book
Can’t wait for the recipe!
Jenn @ Lotus and Pie
Sinless indulgence- who could turn a bite of that down?! We have banana gram tiles but I’ve never used them… Is the game kinda like Scrabble/ Words with Friends?!
Allison
I love healthy recipe makeovers, can’t wait to see yours!
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous
Oh that looks wonderfu! Can’t wait for the recipe!
Gen
I can’t WAIT for you to post that recipe. I have some ricotta in my fridge just WAITING for the right recipe!
Emily
How fun that “work” for you is playing in the kitchen!
Rebecca @ Miss Magnolia Muches & Moves
That Mac n Cheese looks amazing! Can’t wait to find out the recipe! And Banana Grams look right up my alley. I’m a Scrabble and Words With Friends NERD, so I think I might love Banana Grams.
Kerry @ Half Healthy, Half Nuts
Oh man, I am obsessed with banana grams! We have them in the little banana holder zipper-thing…if that makes sense! I just want to play, all. day. long.
Jessica Corbin
I loved baked mac n cheese! I can’t wait to see this recipe!
Alaina
Gahhhh this looks AMAZING. I cannot wait for the recipe! It actually looks a lot like my dad’s macaroni and cheese, which is approximately 30249328409283 times better than anything you’ll ever find from a box.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions