If you are looking for a delicious and comforting meal that is also easy on your waistline, then cooking light macaroni and cheese is the perfect dish for you. This classic comfort food can be lightened up by using low-fat cheese, whole-wheat pasta, and skim milk. You can also add vegetables to the dish for an extra boost of nutrients. With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy this timeless favorite without sacrificing taste or satisfaction. Cooking light macaroni and cheese is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal without all the guilt. So next time you are craving something cheesy and delicious, try this lightened-up version of macaroni and cheese.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
COOKING LIGHT'S CREAMY STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
From the June 2006 issue of Cooking Light magazine and featured in their Dinner Tonight section. This is a simple and quick main dish that is recommended to be served with a 7-Layer salad for a full meal. They suggest assembling the salad while the water comes to a boil for the pasta and making the sauce while the pasta cooks. Quick and easy for a weeknight meal.
Provided by Ms B.
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, place 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, 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.
COOKING LIGHT MACARONI AND CHEESE
Categories Cheese Pasta Bake Vegetarian Kid-Friendly
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preparation Combine first 10 ingredients; stir well, and spoon into a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Combine breadcrumbs and next 2 ingredients; stir well. Sprinkle over casserole. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5 minutes or until set. Garnish with oregano. Nutritional Information Calories: 356 (28% from fat) Fat: 11.2g (sat 5.2g,mono 3.3g,poly 1.4g) Protein: 24.9g Carbohydrate: 37.5g Fiber: 1.2g Cholesterol: 63mg Iron: 2mg Sodium: 724mg Calcium: 402mg
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar or a blend of cheddar and Gruyère is a good choice.
- Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, which can make your macaroni and cheese grainy.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. This means that it should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the sauce.
- Use milk or cream to make the sauce. You can also use a combination of milk and cream.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add the cheese to the sauce slowly, stirring constantly until it is melted.
- Stir in the cooked macaroni.
- Top with breadcrumbs and bake until golden brown.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. The recipes in this article provide a variety of options for making macaroni and cheese, so you can find one that suits your taste. Whether you like your macaroni and cheese simple or cheesy, baked or stovetop, there is a recipe in this article for you. So, next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these macaroni and cheese recipes a try.
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