THREE- CHEESE PASTA

KIDS’ PICK: The kids will love three- cheese pasta for dinner. Serve with fresh green beans and soft rolls. Dip sliced apples in a little caramel sauce for dessert.

Ingredients

2 1/ 2 cups penne or rigatoni pasta 1 medium orange bell pepper, chopped 2 green onions, sliced 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1/ 2 teaspoon coarse salt 1/ 4 teaspoon pepper 2 cups 1 percent milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/ 2 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1/ 2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese Panko bread crumbs for topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 2- quart baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to directions; drain. In a medium bowl, microwave bell pepper and green onions on high ( 100 percent power) for 3 minutes, covered; drain. Set aside. Place butter in a 2- quart container; microwave on medium ( 50 percent power) about 1 minute or until melted. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. With a whisk, mix in milk. Cover and microwave on high about 5 minutes. Stir after the first 2 minutes and then stir again occasionally until thickened. Mix in all the cheeses and stir until it melts. Add the cooked pasta and vegetables and mix well. Pour into the baking dish; top with panko and bake 30 minutes or until hot and slightly brown on top.