Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Name: Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 12 ounces elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup flour; 1/4 cup minced onion; 2 cups skim milk; 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth; 8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar; kosher salt; 4 cups baby spinach; 2 tablespoons grated parmesan; 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs; Olive oil spray

User Reviews

4.9

150 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
261 kcal
Course
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine
American

Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Iris Warren

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This healthy mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!

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Ingredients

Servings

12 ounces elbow macaroni (wheat, whole wheat, high protein or gluten-free)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour (or gluten-free flour mix)
1/4 cup minced onion
2 cups skim milk (use rice milk for dairy-free)
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar (for best results shred yourself. Use Violife for dairy-free)
kosher salt (and black pepper, to taste)
4 cups baby spinach
2 tablespoons grated parmesan
1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
Olive oil spray

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Instructions

Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Spray a baking dish with oil.
Preheat oven to 375F.
In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat stirring with a whisk.
Add onion and cook another 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheese 1/4 cup at a time and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and baby spinach.
Pour into baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more oil on top.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

Notes

See notes above for variations and tips.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 1cup Calories 261kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 36.5g (12%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 7.5g (12%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 20.5mg (7%) Sodium 277mg (12%) Fiber 5.5g (22%) Sugar 5g (10%)