Noodles Florentine

Ingredients:

8 ounces whole wheat egg noodles

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons whole wheat flour

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 cups fat-free milk

2 cups low-fat cheddar cheese

1 ½ cups diced, low sodium cooked ham

10 ounces fresh spinach, cooked and drained

¼ cup bread crumbs

Yield:

8, 1½ cup servings

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook noodles according to package direwctions; drain. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and pepper; blend to a smooth paste. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly and cook until thickened. Add cheese, stirring constantly, until melted. Place half of the noodles in a greased 2 quart, shallow baking dish. Over the noodles, sprinkle a layer of ham and spinach. Drizzle half of the cheese sauce over the mixture. Repeat with second layer of noodles, ham spinach and remaining cheese sauce. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 25 minutes.