5 from 51 votes
Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese
This Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese uses almond milk and vegetable broth to create a creamy cheese sauce coating elbow macaroni, topped with a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and a crunchy almond meal or breadcrumb topping. Baking creates a bubbly, golden crust that contrasts with the tender pasta inside. This recipe offers a way to enjoy classic mac and cheese textures with alternative dairy options and a crispy topping for added texture.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
505 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups almond milk unsweetened
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups cheddar cheese divided, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- ½ cup almond meal or breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (you want the pasta a little undercooked).
- While pasta is cooking, add butter to a large saucepan and heat over low heat. Once butter is melted, whisk in flour until combined.
- Add almond milk, broth, salt and pepper and bring mixture to a boil, whisking constantly, raising heat to medium-high, until mixture is smooth and thick.
- Remove from heat and slowly add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until fully melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to cheese mixture and stir to combine until pasta is fully coated.
- Add pasta to prepared baking dish and top with remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or almond meal over the mac and cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and top begins to brown. Broil for the last 2 minutes to brown the top even more, watching closely to not burn the cheese.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1/6 recipe
Calories
505kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
31g
(10%)
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
81mg
(27%)
Sodium
923mg
(38%)
Potassium
162mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 505
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/6 recipe | |
| Calories | 505kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 923mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 162mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.