Dark leafy collards add bold flavor and boost the calcium in this healthy skillet mac and cheese recipe with a crispy topping. If you don't have collard greens, kale, Swiss chard and spinach are delicious substitutes.

Mac and Cheese with Collard Greens

Serves 4

Serving Size: about 1 2/3 cups

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (about 2 cups)

4 cups chopped collard greens

1 3/4 cups low-fat milk, divided

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and collards and cook according to the pasta package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups milk in a large broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat until just simmering. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, the flour, salt and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the simmering milk; reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in cheddar, cream cheese and vinegar until the cheese is melted. Stir the pasta and collards into the sauce.

Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler to high.

Combine breadcrumbs, oil and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pasta. Broil until golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes.

Recipe nutrition: Per serving: 470 calories; 18 g fat (9 g sat, 7 g mono); 45 mg cholesterol; 57 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 8 g total sugars; 23 g protein; 7 g fiber; 577 mg sodium; 369 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (51 percent daily value), Calcium (46 percent dv), Vitamin C (21 percent dv), Magnesiu (20 percent dv), Folate & Zinc (19 percent dv)

3 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 lowfat milk, 1 HF meat, 1 1/2 fat

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)