Best 6 Guilt Free Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Craving the comfort of a bowl of macaroni and cheese without the guilt? Look no further! This article provides a delectable selection of guilt-free macaroni and cheese recipes that will satisfy your taste buds while keeping your waistline in check. From lightened-up versions using whole-wheat pasta and low-fat cheese to innovative recipes incorporating hidden vegetables, this article has something for everyone.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GUILT FREE MAC AND CHEESE



Guilt Free Mac and Cheese image

I borrowed this recipe from the lifetime series "Cook Yourself Thin) It is cheesy and delicous with less than half the calories of regular

Provided by GingerlyJ

Categories     Cheese

Time 25m

Yield 1 casserole, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups multigrain elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups skim milk, warmed for 1 minute in the microwave
8 ounces low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 1/4 cups)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch pepper
1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the broiler.
  • . Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
  • . While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly until golden, about 2 minutes. Continue whisking and add the milk in a slow, steady stream. Bring the mixture to a steady simmer, whisking constantly, and whisk until thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • . Drain the pasta in a colander. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the cheese, and stir until the cheese melts. Immediately add the hot, drained pasta and stir until well-coated. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
  • Divide the mac and cheese among four 6-ounce ovenproof ramekins and sprinkle 1 tablespoon bread crumbs over each. Broil until crumbs are golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes, taking care not to let the top burn. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278.1, Fat 6.6, SaturatedFat 3.8, Cholesterol 17.3, Sodium 432.1, Carbohydrate 35.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.3, Protein 17.6

GUILT-FREE MAC 'N' CHEESE



Guilt-Free Mac 'n' Cheese image

"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

1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 cup 1% cottage cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
3 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

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 MAC AND CHEESE



Guilt-Free Mac and Cheese image

A guilt-free mac and cheese made with whole food, plant-based, gluten-free ingredients and packed with flavor.

Provided by Lauren Vacula

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 batch Whole Food Plant-Based Cheese Sauce (linked above)
1 16oz pkg gluten-free pasta
1 dash Himalayan Salt
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika

Steps:

  • Make a batch of the Whole Food Plant-Based Cheese Sauce according to recipe directions.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Season with a pinch of salt.
  • Once water comes to a rolling boil, add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
  • Once cooked (do not overcook- gluten-free pasta gets mushy), drain and set aside until serving.
  • Add cheese sauce to pasta and mix well.
  • Add a dash of Himalayan salt and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve

GUILT-FREE MAC 'N' CHEESE



Guilt-Free Mac 'n' Cheese image

'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

½ cup fat-free milk
1 cup 1% cottage cheese
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
1 pinch pepper to taste
3 cups cooked elbow macaroni
½ cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided

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 BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC-N-CHEESE



Guilt-Free Buffalo Chicken Mac-N-Cheese image

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

1 cup yukon gold potato (peeled and cubed)
1/4 cup baby carrots
1/4 cup yellow onion
1/2 cup raw cashews
8 ounces quinoa macaroni
3/4 cup vegetable stock (or use cooking fluid, see step 2 for details)
1/4 cup coconut milk (canned, suggested BPA free lined organic)
2 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh)
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
8 ounces chicken sausage (cooked and cubed)
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (use vegan Parmesan for a healthier alternative)
3 -5 dashes hot sauce (optional, recommend -- Crystals)
1 pinch fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
1 dash paprika (optional for garnish)

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



Guilt-Free Mac 'n' Cheese image

'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

½ cup fat-free milk
1 cup 1% cottage cheese
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
1 pinch pepper to taste
3 cups cooked elbow macaroni
½ cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided

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 a variety of cheeses. This will give your macaroni and cheese a more complex flavor. Some good options include cheddar, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Fontina.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the best choice for macaroni and cheese, as it will hold its shape and not become mushy.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. It will also help to prevent the sauce from becoming oily.
  • Use milk or cream. Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even almond milk.
  • Add some seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are all good options for seasoning macaroni and cheese. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make macaroni and cheese. Feel free to add your own personal touch to the recipe.

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. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy meal or a special occasion dish, macaroni and cheese is a great option.

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