HERBED RIGATONI & CHEEESE

Serves 6
This Northern Italian pasta dish has 30% less butter and cheese than typical mac-a-cheese, plus it's livened up with fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes:

12 ounces rigatoni or penne
2 T. butter
1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
2 T. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 cups low-fat milk
6 ounces sharp cheddar, cubed
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and dried between paper towels

Cook the pasta and drain. Melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan, saute the onions, then blend in flour, salt and pepper. Stir until golden, then add the milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook, stirring until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the cheese, stir until melted. Temove from heat and add teh pasta, basil and tomatoes. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Katie's Mac-A-Cheese

Two cups macaroni (or any small pasta)
Two eggs, beaten
Two cups evaporated milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 tsp. cayenne
3 cups sharp cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 cup parmesan

Cook pasta. Beat eggs, milk, cayenne pepper and 1/4 cup butter. Grate cheddar, stir into the mixture along with the cooked pasta.

Mix paprika, bread crumbs, parmesan and the rest of the butter.

Spread on top of pasta.

Bake 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees, uncovered.