4.4 from 246 votes
Healthy Mac and Cheese
Healthy Mac and Cheese combines rotini pasta cooked with broccoli florets and a blend of cheeses including a spreadable cheese wedge and shredded cheddar. The addition of baby spinach adds color and nutrients. The cheese sauce forms a creamy coating for the pasta and vegetables, creating a comforting meal with a balance of texture and mild savory flavors. This recipe offers a way to include more vegetables within a familiar dish.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
402 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta or pasta of choice
- 2-3 cups broccoli chopped small, florets
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 cup milk I used unsweetened almond milk, of choice
- 1 spreadable cheese Laughing Cow wedge
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese more if needed, reduced fat shredded
- 1 handful baby spinach chopped
- salt to taste, sea salt
- black pepper to taste, sea salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, return to a boil and cook for a total of 8 minutes, adding in the broccoli florets at the 4 minute mark.
- Drain pasta and broccoli.
- In the same large pot over low/medium heat add butter, milk, salt and pepper. Once butter has melted add in drained pasta and broccoli, spreadable cheese wedge and shredded cheese. Let cheese melt a little, about 30 seconds. Use a spoon to stir everything together until pasta is well coated with cheese, adding more cheese if needed.
- Add in chopped baby spinach and toss until wilted.
- Serve immediately with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring and adding milk or water as needed to maintain a creamy sauce.
- If short on time, reheating in the microwave is acceptable but may affect sauce texture.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1/4 recipe
Calories
402kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
53g
(18%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
9mg
(3%)
Sodium
400mg
(17%)
Potassium
103mg
(2%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 402
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/4 recipe | |
| Calories | 402kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 9mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 400mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 103mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.