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Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese

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!

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

Ingredients

  • 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

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Add taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, water, and broth. Allow liquid to boil then reduce to low heat.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 268

% Daily Value*

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%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.