Lightened Up Mac & Cheese
User Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
4 -6
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Calories
597 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Lightened Up Mac & Cheese
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This baked mac & cheese has all the creamy deliciousness of classic versions of the dish, but with fewer calories thanks to the addition of cauliflower and healthy chickpea pasta.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or 6 ounces rotini and 6 ounces legume pasta
- 1 medium cauliflower broken into florets
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a baking dish, and set it aside.
- Set a large pot of water over high heat. When it comes to a boil, salt it well and add the pasta. Boil until al dente, about 10-12 minutes depending on the pasta. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Place a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water, and steam the cauliflower florets until they are tender. Remove from the heat and run under cold water to cool.
- Take half of the steamed cauliflower and place into the bowl of a food processor fitted with an S-blade, or a blender. Add a bit of the water from the steamer, and blend until it becomes a smooth puree. If it's the texture of cauliflower rice, add more water to thin and smooth the puree.
- Break the remaining cauliflower into bite sized pieces and set aside.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium-sized pan. Add the flour, and whisk into a roux. Let it cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute. Slowly add the milk, whisking well as you go.
- Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, whisking all the while, until it begins to thicken. Add the cheeses to the sauce, and whisk until smooth. Add 1 to 1 ½ cups cauliflower puree to the cheese sauce, and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix the cauliflower cheese sauce into the cooked pasta, and stir in the remaining cauliflower florets. Pour the whole mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl combine the panko bread crumbs with the olive oil and sea salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the pasta dish.
- Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until the top is slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
597kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
83g
(28%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
46mg
(15%)
Sodium
564mg
(24%)
Potassium
766mg
(22%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
540IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
69mg
(77%)
Calcium
416mg
(42%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4-6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 597 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 597kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 83g | 28% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 46mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 564mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 766mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 540IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 69mg | 77% |
| Calcium | 416mg | 42% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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