Healthy Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
4.9
Healthy Mac and Cheese
Description
This Healthy Mac and Cheese starts with cooking macaroni and small pieces of broccoli and cauliflower until tender. The pasta and vegetables are combined with grated light mature cheddar cheese, a dollop of reduced-fat crème fraîche, and a touch of Dijon mustard, which adds brightness and depth to the cheese sauce. Salt and black pepper adjust seasoning to enhance flavors without overwhelming the mild cheeses and vegetables. The mixture is placed in an ovenproof dish and topped with additional cheddar cheese, which melts and forms a lightly browned crust during baking. The result is a creamy mac and cheese that incorporates extra vegetables for added nutrition and texture balance.
This baked mac and cheese makes a filling main dish or side and is a practical way to include hidden vegetables in a familiar recipe. Additional vegetables like peas or greens can be included to vary the dish. The crust can be made crispier by adding panko breadcrumbs to the topping cheese. Leftovers freeze well and reheat easily.
Ingredients
- 280 g macaroni
- 0.5 head cauliflower small; cut into very tiny pieces
- 0.5 head broccoli small; cut into very tiny pieces
- 75 g cheddar cheese grated; for the macaroni, light mature
- 25 g cheddar cheese grated; for the topping, light mature
- 0.5 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 100 g crème fraîche reduced fat
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Put 280 g Macaroni into a pan of boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes.
- At the same time, put 0.5 head Broccoli and 0.5 head Cauliflower into a pan of boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and vegetables and put back in the pan and add 75 g Light mature cheddar, 0.5 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 100 g Reduced fat creme fraiche and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper and mix well.
- Transfer to an oven proof dish.
- Top with 25 g Light mature cheddar and put in the oven for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Add extra vegetables such as frozen peas, grated courgette, or chopped spinach to increase nutrition.
- Reserve a bit of pasta water to make the sauce silkier if desired.
- Use reduced-fat cheddar and Parmesan for flavor; mozzarella can substitute for a different texture.
- Add cooked bacon or chorizo to make the dish richer and more indulgent.
- Make vegan by using plant-based crème fraîche and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- Baking the dish is optional but it does create a pleasant crispy top layer.
- For extra crispness, mix panko breadcrumbs with the topping cheese before baking.
- The dish freezes well for up to 2 months when stored properly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 348kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 61g | 20% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 225mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 628mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 525IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 102mg | 113% |
| Calcium | 170mg | 17% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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