Best 4 Guilt Free Mac And Cheese Recipes
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food, but it's often loaded with unhealthy ingredients like processed cheese, butter, and salt. If you're looking for a healthier way to enjoy this delicious dish, there are plenty of guilt-free mac and cheese recipes out there. These recipes use healthier ingredients, such as whole-wheat pasta, low-fat cheese, and vegetables, without sacrificing any of the flavor. So whether you're looking for a healthier weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, there's a guilt-free mac and cheese recipe out there for you. Read on to discover some of the best recipes that will satisfy your craving for this classic comfort food without leaving you feeling guilty.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
GUILT-FREE MAC 'N' CHEESE
"I wanted to make macaroni and cheese that tasted good but didn't add on pounds," writes Ruth Ann Stoy of Newport, Michigan. "I think I've done it!"
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper;cover and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl; stir in the macaroni and 1/4 cup cheese., Transfer to a 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 515mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
GUILT-FREE BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC-N-CHEESE
This decadent Mac-N-Cheese dish is not only thick, creamy and velvety, but has just a dash of zing and also is 100% Guilt-Free! Don't take my word for it - try it and see for yourself and see. I'm sure you'll love it, just as much as my household did.
Provided by Mystic Eye Art
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 25m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- To a large pot, add the potatoes, carrots, onions and cashews and just enough water to cover the vegetables (about 6 cups). Heat the pot on medium-high and bring to a low boil and cook until the potatoes and carrots are tender and mashable, about 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the mixture over a large bowl to catch the cooking fluid. Reserve this cooking fluid and use it in place of the vegetable stock, preferably and set aside to cool slightly.
- Cook the Quinoa Macaroni according to the package instructions and set aside.
- To a blender, add the vegetable stock (or cooking fluid), coconut milk, cashew-vegetable mixture from step 2, yeast, lemon juice, garlic, celery seed, onion powder, salt, pepper, turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, cayenne pepper and cumin. Pulse a few times, then blend on high for 30-60 seconds (depending on your blender), or until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste for salt and add more if needed.
- In a large bowl, fold the blended sauce into the cooked pasta and gently stir in the chicken sausage and parmesan.
- Spoon the mixture into single serving bowls.
- Optional: Add a few dashes of hot sauce and garnish with the parsley and dash of paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 542.3, Fat 21.4, SaturatedFat 7.7, Cholesterol 70.2, Sodium 1519, Carbohydrate 67.1, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 4.8, Protein 23.2
GUILT-FREE MAC 'N' CHEESE
'I wanted to make macaroni and cheese that tasted good but didn't add on pounds,' writes Ruth Ann Stoy of Newport, Michigan. 'I think I've done it!'
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper;cover and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl; stir in the macaroni and 1/4 cup cheese.
- Transfer to a 1-qt. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.6 g, Cholesterol 8.3 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 496 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
GUILT-FREE MAC 'N' CHEESE
'I wanted to make macaroni and cheese that tasted good but didn't add on pounds,' writes Ruth Ann Stoy of Newport, Michigan. 'I think I've done it!'
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper;cover and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl; stir in the macaroni and 1/4 cup cheese.
- Transfer to a 1-qt. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.6 g, Cholesterol 8.3 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 496 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
Tips:
- Use whole wheat or whole grain pasta. This will make your mac and cheese healthier and more filling.
- Add vegetables to your mac and cheese. This is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients and make your dish more colorful. Some good vegetables to add include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and spinach.
- Use a healthier cheese. There are many healthier cheese options available, such as low-fat cheese, part-skim cheese, and even vegan cheese. You can also use a combination of different cheeses to create a unique flavor.
- Use a healthier milk. There are also many healthier milk options available, such as skim milk, low-fat milk, and almond milk. You can also use a combination of different milks to create a unique flavor.
- Go easy on the butter. Butter is a high-calorie ingredient, so it's important to use it sparingly. You can also use other healthier fats, such as olive oil or avocado oil.
- Add some spices. Spices are a great way to add flavor to your mac and cheese without adding extra calories. Some good spices to add include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, it can also be a high-calorie dish that is not very healthy. By following the tips above, you can make a healthier version of mac and cheese that is just as delicious as the traditional version. So next time you're craving mac and cheese, give one of these recipes a try.
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