Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese

Name: Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 12 serving
Ingredients: 1 lb. 99% lean ground turkey; 1/2 medium onion (120g); 1/2 large green bell pepper (130g); 1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes; 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce; 1 4.5-oz. can diced green chilies; 3 Tbsp taco seasoning; 16 oz. Elbow Noodles; 2 cups water; 3 cups broth; 8- oz. low fat cream cheese; 1 cup low fat shredded Mexican/cheddar cheese (112g

User Reviews

4.9

123 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
12
Calories
268 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Mexican

Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese

Heidi Hunt

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This Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy, hearty, and SUPER cheesy with delicious Mexican flavor throughout! It doesn't taste lightened up for one second! A true family favorite! No doubt will this one become a staple in your house too!

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Ingredients

Servings

1 lb. 99% lean ground turkey
1/2 medium onion (120g) diced
1/2 large green bell pepper (130g) diced
1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
1 4.5-oz. can diced green chilies
3 Tbsp taco seasoning
16 oz. Elbow Noodles dry
2 cups water
3 cups broth you can use beef, chicken or vegetable broth
8- oz. low fat cream cheese cubed
1 cup low fat shredded Mexican/cheddar cheese (112g

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Instructions

Place peppers, onions, and ground turkey in a large pot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cook on medium-high heat until the turkey is browned and the onions are tender.
Add taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, water, and broth. Allow liquid to boil then reduce to low heat.
Stir in the pasta and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and liquid has reduced down. Note there should be a little of the liquid left for creamy macaroni and cheese but not a lot. Pasta cooking times will vary. Cook until most (but not all) of the liquid has evaporated.
Add in the cream cheese and shredded cheese and stir until melted.

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free noodles of choice.
To make dairy-free: use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free shredded cheese.
Want to switch out the protein? Sub the ground turkey for ground beef, ground chicken or plant-based ground beef.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1/12 of recipe (246g) Calories 268kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 20.8g (42%) Fat 5.4g (8%) Saturated Fat 2.5g (13%) Fiber 2.4g (10%) Sugar 5.9g (12%)