Indulge in the classic comfort food experience with a healthier twist! This whole wheat rotini mac and cheese recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, using wholesome ingredients that provide a nutritious alternative to traditional mac and cheese. Made with whole wheat rotini pasta, a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
In addition to the classic whole wheat rotini mac and cheese recipe, this article also includes variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. For those who prefer a vegan option, there's a dairy-free version made with a creamy cashew cheese sauce. If you're looking for a gluten-free alternative, a delicious recipe using gluten-free pasta and a dairy-free cheese sauce is also provided. And for those who enjoy a little kick, a spicy jalapeño mac and cheese recipe is included, featuring a creamy cheddar sauce infused with roasted jalapeños.
With its detailed instructions and helpful tips, this article ensures that you'll be able to create a delicious and satisfying mac and cheese dish, regardless of your dietary preferences. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight!
WHOLE WHEAT SPINACH MAC N CHEESE WITH BROILED TOMATOES
The pumpkin puree in the mac n cheese adds fiber, as well as body and color, so less cheese is needed
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the shells and cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving some of the pasta water and set aside.
- Meanwhile, arrange the tomatoes, cut-side up, on baking sheet and broil until wrinkled and soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Combine the breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon of the oil and the Italian seasoning. Sprinkle over the tomatoes. Continue to broil until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and garlic, stirring until the flour turns light brown, about 1 minute. Add the pumpkin puree and evaporated milk, bring to a simmer, stirring, and cook until sauce just begins to bubble and thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Stir until melted, about 1 minute.
- Add the spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated, thin out with the reserved pasta water as desired. Divide the mac n cheese, tomatoes and grapes among four plates.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 640 calorie, Fat 11 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Cholesterol 15 milligrams, Sodium 640 milligrams, Carbohydrate 79 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 27 grams, Sugar 28 grams
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
WHOLE WHEAT ROTINI PASTA SALAD
Fabulous light pasta salad with carrots, asparagus, tomatoes, and green onions. It gets better the longer it marinates, so don't be afraid to prepare it ahead of time and stick it in the refrigerator a few hours.
Provided by tlabrum
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Tomato Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot with lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook rotini at a boil until the pasta is cooked yet slightly firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Rinse the pasta with cold water until completely chilled; drain completely.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk the apple cider vinegar and olive oil together in a large bowl until blended. Stir feta cheese, basil, salt, and black pepper into the vinaigrette.
- Fold the asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, green onions, and garlic into the vinaigrette to coat evenly.
- Stir the cooled pasta into the vegetable mixture; toss until evenly mixed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.8 calories, Carbohydrate 52.2 g, Cholesterol 5.6 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 125.8 mg, Sugar 7.5 g
CREAMY STOVE-TOP ROTINI AND CHEESE
This is a quick and easy way to avoid the box mac and cheese. I found this recipe in a Cooking Light magazine and really liked it. I did substitute wheat flour and wheat pasta rather than regular macaroni and white flour.
Provided by Smockmock
Categories Penne
Time 40m
Yield 1 1/2 cups, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta cook, place wheat flour, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Add milk, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Drop cream cheese by teaspoonfuls into milk mixture; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes or until thick and cream cheese melts, stirring occasionally. Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic; simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Combine pasta and cheese sauce in a large bowl; toss well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 421.4, Fat 15.5, SaturatedFat 9.1, Cholesterol 48.2, Sodium 652.2, Carbohydrate 55.5, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 0.7, Protein 19.2
WHOLE GRAIN MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is a macaroni and cheese that's not too heavy and benefits mightily from the use of whole-wheat pasta and the addition of broccoli. You can assemble it ahead and bake it when you need it, or bake it ahead and reheat. There are a number of excellent whole wheat macaroni products on the market now. Check out Community Grains and MagNoodles. When you cook the macaroni, be sure to cook it for less time than usual so that it is more al dente; otherwise it will become too soft and may fall apart when you bake it in the final casserole.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add macaroni and cook al dente, a minute short of however long you typically cook pasta if you were serving it right away. Use a skimmer or strainer to lift macaroni from cooking water and transfer it to a large bowl. Toss with 2 teaspoons olive oil and set aside.
- Add broccoli to boiling water and boil 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of cold water, drain, and then drain again on paper towels or a kitchen towel.
- To make béchamel, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until smooth and bubbling, but not browned. It should have the texture of wet sand. Whisk in milk all at once and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until mixture begins to thicken. Turn heat to very low and simmer, whisking often and scraping the bottom and edges of the pan with a rubber spatula, for 15 minutes, until sauce has thickened and lost its raw flour taste. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Remove from heat.
- Strain béchamel while hot into the bowl with the pasta. Add cheeses and broccoli and stir together until pasta is nicely coated with sauce. Scrape into prepared baking dish.
- Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 388, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 39 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 586 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta. Rotini is a great choice for mac and cheese because it holds the sauce well. However, you can use any type of pasta that you like.
- Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese that you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or Gouda.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming too runny.
- Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or nutmeg.
- Bake the mac and cheese until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will help to ensure that the cheese is melted and the sauce is cooked through.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. This recipe for whole wheat rotini mac and cheese is a healthier version of the classic dish that is still just as delicious. With a few simple tips, you can make a mac and cheese that is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for any occasion.
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