Best 9 Easy Healthy Macaroni Cheese Casserole Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish loved by people of all ages. However, the traditional macaroni and cheese recipe is often high in calories, fat, and sodium. If you're looking for a healthier version of this classic dish, there are many easy-to-make macaroni and cheese casserole recipes available. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking to reduce your intake of unhealthy ingredients, there's a recipe out there to suit your needs. With a few simple swaps, you can create a delicious and nutritious macaroni and cheese casserole that the whole family will enjoy.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole image

This homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole is the best you've ever had. Tender noodles in a velvety sauce make the perfectly irresistible dish!!

Provided by Holly Nilsson

Categories     Casserole     Dinner     Entree     Main Course     Pasta

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces dry elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup light cream (about 10-12% MF)
½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
salt & pepper to taste
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup (optional 10.75 ounces)
4 cups sharp cheddar (divided)
½ cup fresh parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Cook macaroni al dente (firm) according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water.
  • Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and let cook 2 minutes while stirring. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard powder, onion powder, salt & pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese & 3 cups cheddar cheese until melted. Add soup if using.
  • Toss cheese sauce & macaroni noodles together. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 18-24 minutes or until bubbly. Do not over cook. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 32 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Sodium 529 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving

MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Macaroni and Cheese Casserole image

I like to create recipes, and this is one my husband really enjoys. It's an excellent dish for company, especially for families with small children. After all, what kid doesn't like macaroni and cheese?

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1-1/2 cups whole milk
1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
3 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup diced pimientos
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until bubbles form around the edge of pan. Remove from the heat; stir in the cheese and butter. Let stand for 1 minute. Stir until cheese is almost melted. Stir in bread crumbs. In a bowl, combine the macaroni, egg yolks, pimientos, parsley, onion and salt. Stir in cheese mixture; mix well. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into macaroni mixture. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts :

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

A friend of mine sent this recipe to me when I got my first apartment, because she knows how much I hate cooking! It's really easy -- even I can make it -- and tastes great. I'm not sure where she found the recipe, but it included the note 'Good source of protein, vitamin A, B group vitamins, calcium.'

Provided by Meredith

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package macaroni
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.
  • Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 968.1 calories, Carbohydrate 92.6 g, Cholesterol 194.2 mg, Fat 45.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 27.6 g, Sodium 736 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese image

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

1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat macaroni (such as Smart Taste®)
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

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

EASY MACARONI CASSEROLE



Easy Macaroni Casserole image

Make and share this Easy Macaroni Casserole recipe from Food.com.

Provided by MsBaton

Categories     Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 bell pepper
1 cup celery
1 cup onion
1 cup tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup margarine
1 (16 ounce) package of grated cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cook macaroni and drain.
  • Chop up onion, bell pepper and celery into small pieces.
  • In skillet, melt butter and cook onions, celery, and bell pepper in butter until tender.
  • Then add tomatoes and soup.
  • Cook about three to five minutes longer.
  • In casserole dish put a layer of macaroni, a layer of soup mixture, and a layer of cheese.
  • Repeat layers, ending with cheese on the top.
  • Bake until cheese melts.

EASY KRAFT MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Easy Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Casserole image

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Recipes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 boxes cheese
1 pounds ground beef
26 ounces condensed tomato soup
1 units seasoning salt

Steps:

  • Preheat over to 400°F. Make the Mac and Cheese as normal, but leave the noodles slightly uncooked still, that "1 more minute" point. While it is cooking fry the ground beef and leave it unseasoned or season as you like, I use a little Montreal Steak Seasoning. Mix the Mac and Cheese, ground beef and tomato soup together.
  • Pour into a 9x13 baking dish, top with cheese and a light sprinkle of seasoning salt. I always put this on a cookie sheet, it bubbles over the tiniest amount sometimes.
  • Put in oven and bake 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and slightly golden. Cool for a few minutes, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE



Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe image

Make mealtime a breeze with this Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe from My Food and Family. This cheesy recipe is just as simple as it is scrumptious.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Dairy

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Four Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
6 round buttery crackers, crushed (about 1/4 cup)
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375ºF.
  • Prepare Dinner as directed on package. Meanwhile, combine shredded cheeses; set aside. Beat egg, milk, dressing and seasoning salt with whisk until well blended.
  • Spoon half of the Dinner into greased 2-qt. casserole; cover with half the cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Drizzle evenly with egg mixture. Mix cracker crumbs and butter; sprinkle over Dinner mixture.
  • Bake 20 min. or until center is set and Dinner mixture is heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Fat 19 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 850 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 14 g

DELICIOUS AND EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Delicious and Easy Macaroni and Cheese image

The only mac and cheese recipe you'll ever need- no funny ingredients, minimal effort and grand on taste!

Provided by atlantamom

Categories     Cheese

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup half-and-half
1 pinch cayenne
salt and pepper
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted, for the casserole

Steps:

  • Boil the macaroni for 4 minutes or until half-cooked (salt the water!)
  • In a medium saucepan heat the half-and-half with cayenne, salt and pepper. Add macaroni and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese and cook on medium heat until the cheese melts. Pour into a buttered casserole and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until the cheese melts.

TWO-CHEESE MACARONI CASSEROLE



Two-Cheese Macaroni Casserole image

THIS recipe was given to me years ago by a dear friend. I have shared it with everyone since it's a good dish to prepare on a busy day...very simple and easy.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup 4% cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Pinch salt

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat; carefully stir in the remaining ingredients. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and macaroni is tender.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese. This is the main ingredient in macaroni and cheese, so it's important to use a cheese that you enjoy the taste of. A sharp cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyère.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. This means that the macaroni should be cooked through, but still have a slight bite to it. If you overcook the macaroni, it will become mushy.
  • Use a roux to thicken the sauce. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. This will help to give your macaroni and cheese a creamy texture.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a little bit of mustard or hot sauce for a kick.
  • Top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs. This will give the casserole a crispy topping. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. With these tips, you can make a delicious macaroni and cheese casserole that your family and friends will love.

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