Best 6 Baked Macaroni Cheese Weight Watchers Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, it is often high in calories, fat, and sodium, making it a less-than-ideal choice for those watching their weight. Fortunately, there are many ways to lighten up this dish without sacrificing flavor. By using low-fat cheese, skim milk, and whole-wheat pasta, you can create a baked macaroni and cheese that is both delicious and Weight Watchers-friendly.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACARONI AND CHEESE



Macaroni and Cheese image

Try our take on a comfort food classic.

Categories     Lunch,Dinner

Time 1h2m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 oz Uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 Tbsp Unsalted butter
1 small Uncooked onion(s) chopped
1 Tbsp All-purpose flour
1.5 cup(s) Fat free skim milk
1 cup(s) Weight Watchers Reduced-fat Mexican style shredded cheese
0.5 tsp Table salt
0.25 tsp Dry mustard
0.25 tsp Black pepper
0.25 cup(s) Whole wheat breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray 9-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Cook macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt if desired. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute; gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce bubbles and thickens, about 4 minutes. Stir in Cheddar, salt, mustard powder, and pepper; cook, stirring, until cheese is melted, about 1 minute longer.
  • Remove saucepan from heat; stir in macaroni. Spoon into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly over macaroni mixture; spray crumbs with nonstick spray. Bake until casserole is bubbly and top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields 1/4 of baking dish per serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162 kcal

WEIGHT WATCHERS BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE WITH BROCCOLI



Weight Watchers Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Broccoli image

This casserole-like dish hits the spot when you're in the mood for a hearty pasta recipe. Serve right away for the best flavor and texture. From the WW website, 1 serving = 5 POINTS.

Provided by xpnsve

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

cooking spray
2 1/2 cups gemelli pasta, uncooked (can also use other twisted pasta)
1/8 teaspoon table salt, for pasta cooking water
2 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1 teaspoon butter
1/3 cup fresh breadcrumb
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated divided
2 1/2 cups skim milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded and sharp variety
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water according to package directions, adding broccoli to water 3 minutes before pasta will be done; drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until light golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and transfer crumbs to a small bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and set aside.
  • In same saucepan (wipe clean if necessary), whisk together milk and flour until blended; add onion.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in Cheddar cheese, mustard, salt, pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
  • Pour over cooked, drained pasta and broccoli; toss to mix and coat.
  • Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle top evenly with bread crumb mixture. Bake until bubbly at edges, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Divide into 8 pieces and serve.
  • Yields 1 piece per serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 245.8, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 7.4, Sodium 685.6, Carbohydrate 40.2, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.8, Protein 13.7

WEIGHT WATCHERS FOUR CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Weight Watchers Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese image

This version of macaroni and cheese uses four different cheeses for maximum flavor. It's a hearty serving-well worth the indulgence. This is 7 points per serving.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h8m

Yield 9 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

cooking spray
1/8 teaspoon table salt (or to taste, for cooking pasta)
12 ounces uncooked macaroni
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 cups onions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
5 ounces cheddar cheese (extra-sharp suggested) or 5 ounces colby cheese, shredded (extra-sharp suggested)
3 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (or to taste)
3/4 teaspoon table salt, to taste
2 ounces parmesan cheese, finely grated (Parmigiano Reggiano suggested)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Coat a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  • Cook macaroni in salted water as directed on package; set aside.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Slowly add flour, stirring constantly; cook for about 3 minutes.
  • Slowly whisk in milk to thoroughly incorporate flour mixture.
  • Stir in onion, paprika and bay leaf.
  • Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently; remove from heat.
  • Combine blue cheese with about two-thirds of both types of cheddar cheese in saucepan and season to taste with salt and pepper; stir in macaroni. Pour half of macaroni mixture into prepared casserole dish and top with remaining cheddar cheeses.
  • Pour in remaining macaroni mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; bake for 30 minutes.
  • Let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into 9 pieces.
  • Yields 1 piece per serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 319.8, Fat 11.3, SaturatedFat 6.9, Cholesterol 33.7, Sodium 563.5, Carbohydrate 36.9, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 5.9, Protein 17.1

WW MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE - WW POINTS = 7



Ww Macaroni and Cheese Casserole - Ww Points = 7 image

This recipe was featured in an email this morning from Weight Watchers. This and lots of other recipes can be found at the www.weightwatchers.com website. Was POINTS® Value: 18 Now POINTS® Value: 7 Servings: 6 Preparation Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 25 min Level of Difficulty: Easy Everyone's favorite comfort food, lightened up thanks to a request from Community user FISHINMA. Our version is rich and creamy but with a fraction of the calories and fat.

Provided by senseicheryl

Categories     Grains

Time 35m

Yield 1 9 inch pan, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can low-fat cream of celery soup or 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can the 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
8 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese or 8 ounces colby cheese, shredded
1/2 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can pimientos, chopped
4 ounces whole wheat crackers, mashed into crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a 9 X 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling water until just tender, about 7 minutes; drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add soup, mayonnaise, cheese, pepper and pimentos; mix well to combine.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and top with cracker crumbs.
  • Bake, uncovered, until top is golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

FOUR CHEESE MACARONI - WEIGHT WATCHERS



Four Cheese Macaroni - Weight Watchers image

Each serving provides: 7 points. I found this recipe in Weight Watchers 123 Success Living With Points Week 2 Meal Ideas leaflet. I have not tried this recipe, but I'm posting it for safe keeping.

Provided by internetnut

Categories     Cheese

Time 20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 1/4 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup skim milk
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup shredded American cheese
1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions; drain and return to the pot.
  • Add the milk, cheddar, Monterey Jack, American, and mozzarella cheeses and pepper.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the cheeses melt, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244.3, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 14.8, Sodium 277, Carbohydrate 32.7, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 1, Protein 16.7

STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE (WEIGHT WATCHERS)



Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese (Weight Watchers) image

We enjoyed this easy and delicious macaroni and cheese. If following the Weight Watchers plan it is only 6 pts/serving. When I made it I used whole wheat elbow macaroni and a combination of Kraft 2% sharp cheddar and some Weight Watcher Mexican blend cheese. If you start the cheese sauce while the pasta is cooking everything will be done at the same time --so quick and so easy! Recipe source: www.weightwatchers.com

Provided by ellie_

Categories     Cheese

Time 15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

16 ounces macaroni (see note in description)
2 cups skim milk (I used 1% milk)
1/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
pepper
1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese (see note in description)
1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco sauce)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
  • While macaroni is cooking, in a large saucepan over medium heat whisk together milk, flour, salt, onion powder and pepper until blended.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, stirring often until thickened (2 to 5 minutes).
  • Remove from heat; stir in cheese and Tabasco.
  • Toss pasta with sauce.

Tips:

  • Use low-fat ingredients: Opt for non-fat milk and low-fat cheese to reduce the calorie content of the dish.
  • Add vegetables: Incorporate chopped broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini into the macaroni and cheese for an extra serving of vegetables and added nutritional value.
  • Use whole-wheat pasta: Substitute whole-wheat macaroni for traditional pasta to increase the fiber content of the dish.
  • Go easy on the cheese: While cheese is a key ingredient in macaroni and cheese, using too much of it can make the dish unhealthy. Aim for 1/2 cup of cheese per serving or less.
  • Bake it, don't fry it: Baking the macaroni and cheese instead of frying it reduces the amount of fat in the dish.

Conclusion:

Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following the tips provided in this article, you can make a healthier version of this dish that is still delicious and satisfying. With its reduced calorie content and increased nutritional value, this baked macaroni and cheese recipe is a great choice for those who are looking for a healthier comfort food option.

Related Topics