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["Heat oven to 400F.", "Spray 8"" square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.", "In small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup of the milk and flour until smooth.", "In heavy medium saucepan, heat remaining 1 1/2 cups milk over medium heat until steaming.", "Add flour mixture; cook 2-3 minutes or until sauce boils and thickens, whisking constantly.", "Remove from heat; stir in cheddar cheese until melted.", "Stir in cottage cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg.", "Cook spinach according to package directions; drain.", "Rinse under cold running water; squeeze out excess moisture.", "Cook macaroni in large pot of boiling lightly salted water 4-5 minutes or until not quite tender, stirring often.", "(Macaroni will continue to cook while baking.) Drain; rinse with cold water.", "Drain again.", "In large bowl, stir together cheese sauce and macaroni.", "Spread half of the macaroni mixture in baking dish; spoon spinach over top.", "Spread remaining macaroni mixture over spinach layer; sprinkle with wheat germ.", "(Dish can be made to this point and refrigerated for 2 days or frozen for 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.) Bake 35-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden.", "TIP*If you can't find wheat germ, substitute an equal amount of Parmesan cheese, cracker crumbs or bread crumbs.", "VARIATION: To make Southwestern Macaroni and Cheese with Peppers, substitute 1 cup grated pepper Jack cheese for 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.", "Omit the nutmeg.", "Add 1 (4 1/2-oz.) can chopped mild green chiles, 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro and dash cayenne pepper to cheese sauce.", "Omit spinach.", "Instead, cook 2 cups thawed frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables in 1 teaspoon olive oil 3 to 4 minutes or until tender.", "Replace spinach with pepper mixture."]
