**Introducing the Low-Calorie Mac and Cheese: A Guilt-Free Indulgence for Pasta Lovers**
Mac and cheese, a classic comfort food, often carries the reputation of being high in calories and fat. But what if you could enjoy this beloved dish without sacrificing your health goals? Our collection of low-calorie mac and cheese recipes offers a delightful twist on the traditional recipe, allowing you to indulge in creamy, cheesy goodness without the guilt. From lightened-up versions using healthier ingredients to innovative recipes that incorporate hidden vegetables, these recipes cater to various dietary preferences and cooking styles. Whether you're a cheese enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or simply seeking a comforting yet guilt-free meal, our low-calorie mac and cheese recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings without compromising your well-being.
HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE
To make this rich mac and cheese recipe healthier we use whole wheat bread crumbs, low-fat milk and cheese, whole wheat noodles, and reduced the amount of butter. Serve with a salad for a healthy meatless dinner.
Provided by MakeItHealthy
Categories Pasta and Noodles Noodle Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 770.4 calories, Carbohydrate 106.6 g, Cholesterol 60.3 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 10.6 g, Protein 42.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 750.2 mg, Sugar 9.6 g
LOW-FAT MACARONI AND CHEESE
"When I want a super side dish that's real old-fashioned comfort food, I make a batch of this macaroni and cheese," notes field editor Joanie Elbourn of Gardner, Massachusetts.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the milk, cheeses, flour and pepper. Cover and process until creamy. Pour into a bowl; stir in macaroni and onion. Transfer to a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 28mg cholesterol, Sodium 395mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
YUMMY LOW-FAT MAC & CHEESE
Make and share this Yummy Low-Fat Mac & Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Absolutely Bananas
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Coat 2 quart casserole with nonstick spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt butter in medium saucepan. stir in flour, mustard, paprika, and salt. slowly pour in milk, whisking continuously until there are no lumps in the flour. continue to stir with whisk, raise the heat, and cook until milk bubbles and thickens. Remove from stovetop and stir in sour cream, egg, and cheese.
- Toss macaroni and the cheese mixture together in a bowl and then pour it into the casserole. Top with the cornflake crumbs. Set in the oven and bake for 20 min, or until bubbling around edges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 253.8, Fat 4.4, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 41.1, Sodium 271.9, Carbohydrate 41.9, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 6.9, Protein 11.1
LOW CALORIE MAC AND CHEESE
Trying to eat healthier AND please your kids can be tricky! This yummy dish is low in calories and it's sure to please kids, too. :) Recipe from "Slim & Scrumptious" by Joy Bauer.
Provided by Chesska
Categories Kid Friendly
Time 25m
Yield 9 cups, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Shred cheese and set aside allowing the cheese to come to room temperature, which will help it to melt better.
- Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions for al dente pasta.
- In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of milk with soy sauce, onion powder, dry mustard, paprika, bay leaf, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Place over medium heat and cook until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the remaining 1/4 cup of milk. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and stir to combine. Return the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove saucepan from heat, discard the bay leaf, and add the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and no lumps remain.
- Add the butter to the cheese sauce and stir until completely melted inches.
- Drain the macaroni (but don't rinse), and return to pot.
- Pour cheese sauce over cooked macaroni and stir until everything is coated. Cover pot and allow it to sit for 5 or 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.1, Fat 8.5, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 22, Sodium 639.3, Carbohydrate 64.9, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 0.3, Protein 26.6
REDUCED FAT MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h20m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place flour in a large saucepan over medium heat, gradually whisking in milk. Add mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper and Worcestershire. Continue cooking until sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until well blended; add 2/3 of shredded cheese and stir until melted. Add macaroni, stirring until well coated. Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Toss remaining shredded cheese with breadcrumbs and sprinkle over top of macaroni; spray with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden on top and bubbling throughout.
LOW FAT MAC AND CHEESE
That actually does NOT taste low fat, true! Not the way I USED to do! No butter or oil too! Hope you will agree and do a review!
Provided by mickeydownunder
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- COOK pasta and DRAIN; keep warm.
- In same saucepan, ADD milk and flour and WHISK until smooth; heat to BOIL stirring all the time to make sure does not stick.
- ADD mustard and black pepper.
- Once at a boil, allow to simmer about 3 minutes til thickened slightly.
- ADD cheese stirring until total melted.
- ADD pasta back into saucepan; stir until well coated.
- ENJOY!
- NOTE: Was inspired by the internet to post this; I HOPE you don't give it a miss!
- NOTE: Can top with tsp of parsley or 1 tsp chilli flakes when adding mustard and pepper; is all up to YOU! :).
Tips:
- Use low-fat or nonfat milk and cheese to reduce the calorie content of the dish.
- Add non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots, to the mac and cheese to boost its nutritional value and fiber content.
- Use whole wheat or whole grain pasta instead of traditional pasta to increase the fiber and nutrient content of the dish.
- Add lean protein, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, to the mac and cheese to make it a more complete meal.
- Experiment with different seasonings and spices to create a unique flavor profile for your mac and cheese.
Conclusion:
Low-calorie mac and cheese is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. By using low-fat or nonfat milk and cheese, adding non-starchy vegetables, and using whole wheat or whole grain pasta, you can create a mac and cheese dish that is lower in calories and higher in nutrients. With a little creativity, you can create a low-calorie mac and cheese dish that the whole family will love.
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