EASY MAC ‘N’ CHEESE WITH HOT DOGS

The best part of a cold winter is eating comfort foods.  The kitchen gets cozy warm from the oven heat, and heady aromas fill the air; and that’s before you sit down to eat. 
Here’s a very easy Mac ‘n’ Cheese recipe  that really delivers on flavor and comfort. 
You can use chopped cooked ham in place of the hot dogs, if you prefer.  And you could use fat-free half and half instead of the cream and milk. 

Easy Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Hot Dogs Adapted from Foodnetwork.com Rating:  9 out of 10 CLICK FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:  1 Tbsp. flour 1 cup heavy cream 1-1/4 cups low-fat milk 1/4 tsp. sea salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 1 (8-oz.) pkg. (2 cups) Six-Cheese Italian Blend Cheese 3 oz. chopped or sliced hot dogs (about 2 medium) 6 oz. dry elbow or medium shell pasta, cooked and drained Spray a 1-1/2 quart baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet.  Heat oven to 400F.  In large bowl, whisk the flour and cream till no lumps remain.  Add milk, salt, pepper, parsley and cheese, whisking till combined.  Stir in meat and pasta.  Transfer to baking dish.  Bake till sauce bubbles and cheese melts and begins to brown on top, 30-40 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack for 10-15 minutes to let it settle.  Yield:  4 servings