Glorious Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• Olive oil spray
• 2 cups macaroni
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 8 to 12 ounces cheese
• such as Cheddar
• mozzarella
• or Monterey Jack
• sliced or grated
• 3 to 5 garlic cloves
• chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper
• cored
• seeded
• and cut into thin strips
• 1/2 head broccoli
• cut into florets (about 2 cups)
• 2 handfuls fresh spinach
• shredded (about 2 loosely packed cups)
• 2 or 3 plum tomatoes
• chopped
• or one 14-ounce can
• drained
• liquid reserved
• optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450F.
2. Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with olive oil, taking care to fully coat all interior surfaces.
3. Pour the pasta into the pot.
4. Combine 2/3 cup water and the olive oil in a measuring cup.
5. (If using canned tomatoes, drain and use the liquid to replace the water.)
6. Stir and pour over the pasta.
7. Mix gently to coat all the noodles and spread them evenly in the pot.
8. Layer about half the cheese over the pasta.
9. Sprinkle with half the garlic and half the oregano and lightly season with salt and pepper.
10. Add the bell pepper and broccoli in even layers and cover with the remaining cheese.
11. Sprinkle with the remaining garlic and oregano and season lightly with salt and pepper.
12. Top with the spinach and, if you choose, tomatoes.
13. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven.
14. Serve immediately.
15. Calories: 535
16. Protein: 24g
17. Carbohydrates: 60g
18. Fat: 23g
19. Cholesterol: 60mg
20. Sodium: 438mg
21. Fiber: 6g