Best 5 Healthy Mac Cheese With Bechamel Cheddar Sauce Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese, a classic comfort food, is often laden with unhealthy ingredients like processed cheese and heavy cream. However, it is possible to create a healthier version of this beloved dish without sacrificing flavor. Our recipe for healthy mac and cheese with béchamel cheddar sauce is a healthier version of the classic dish, made with whole-wheat pasta, béchamel sauce, and a blend of sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. This dish is a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness and wholesome ingredients, and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BECHAMEL MAC AND CHEESE



Bechamel Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Time 25m

Yield 6 portions

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup grated Cheddar
4 cups cooked macaroni pasta

Steps:

  • Over medium heat in a saucepan, heat the milk with the stock and salt, stirring throughout. Continue to heat the milk mixture over medium heat, and then reduce to low heat once the milk has begun to froth or simmer.
  • Next, in a second saucepan, heat the butter until melted. Stir in the flour. Reduce the heat to low and stir until well incorporated. Remove from the heat when it is a pale tan color (a blond roux).
  • Once the roux has thickened, slowly stir into the milk mixture to blend. Continue to stir over low heat until well incorporated. Finally, remove from the heat and whisk in the cheeses. Once mixed, add the pasta, again stir well and serve.

HEALTHY MAC & CHEESE WITH BECHAMEL-CHEDDAR SAUCE



Healthy Mac & Cheese With Bechamel-Cheddar Sauce image

Developed this recipe on my own, inspired by multiple recipes I found online. The evaporated milk helps the cheese sauce stay creamy and not curdle when cooked. 100% whole wheat pasta and bread give this recipe a healthy take that adults and children will love!

Provided by Silly_Mommy

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups whole wheat pasta
3 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 slices whole wheat bread
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Add macaroni, bring to a boil, then simmer on medium-high heat until al dente (a little less than fully cooked). Set aside ½ cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and immediately rinse with cold water.
  • In the same pot used for the macaroni, melt butter and add flour. Whisk until mixture looks like a paste and is light beige in color. Slowly pour in evaporated milk while whisking, and continue until fully incorperated. Simmer and stir for another 3-4 minutes for sauce to thicken Stir in nutmeg, mustard, and salt.
  • Remove from heat and add cheese and pasta water. Continue stiring until cheese is fully melted. Pour macaroni back into and stir until fully mixed with sauce.
  • (This step is for topping.) Break apart bread in large peices and pulse in food processor with melted butter until bread is in small crumbs. Mix with cheese and cayenne pepper and set aside.
  • Pour macaroni mixture into a 9x13 casserole dishes and spread bread/cheese mixture over the top.
  • Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
  • Remove from oven when top is slightly browned and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

HOMEMADE CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE



Homemade Cheddar Cheese Sauce image

Don't care for Velveeta®? Try this recipe. It can be used in place of it. Five ingredients and in less than 10 minutes, you've got a delicious substitute for it.

Provided by Yoly

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1 ¾ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and salt until a paste forms. Slowly add milk; cook and stir until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add cheese, stir to combine, and cook until melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.2 calories, Carbohydrate 1.6 g, Cholesterol 18.3 mg, Fat 6 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 119.4 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE WITH A BECHAMEL BASE



Cheddar Cheese Sauce with a Bechamel Base image

A cheddar cheese sauce good for serving over vegetables. (Source: LeCordon Bleu Professional Cooking)

Provided by Leta8076

Categories     Sauces

Time 45m

Yield 1 qt

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 ounces clarified butter
2 ounces bread flour
4 cups milk
1/2 small onion, peeled
1 whole clove
1/2 small bay leaf
salt
nutmeg
white pepper
8 ounces cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Make a Bechamel sauce as follows: Heat clarified butter in medium size saucepan.
  • Whisk in bread flour and stir and cook over low heat until light cream color, but at least 1 minute.
  • Cool slightly.
  • In another saucepan, scald the milk.
  • Gradually add milk to the roux (flour and butter mixture) beating constantly with whisk.
  • Bring sauce to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Stick the bay leaf to the onion with the clove.
  • Place onion in sauce.
  • Simmer at least 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Season very lightly with salt, nutmeg and white pepper.
  • Strain through a china cap.
  • Place plastic wrap on sauce to prevent formation of skin.
  • Cool in cold water bath and store in freezer in ziplock bags for later use, or keep warm over warm water bath for use in dishes being currently prepared.
  • To 1 qt of this Bechamel Sauce, add the cheddar cheese, dry mustard and worcestershire sauce.
  • Whisk over low heat until the cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.

CHEESE SAUCE



Cheese sauce image

This classic, storecupboard white sauce is loaded with strong cheddar cheese - our easy recipe is ready in 15 minutes. Use to make macaroni or cauliflower cheese

Provided by Miriam Nice

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 4

500ml milk
4 tbsp plain flour
50g butter
100g grated strong cheddar (or 50g grated cheddar, 50g crumbled blue cheese)

Steps:

  • Pour 500ml milk into a large saucepan and add 4 tbsp plain flour and 50g butter.
  • Turn on the heat to medium and start to whisk the mixture. Keep whisking fast as the butter melts and the mixture comes to the boil - the flour will disappear and the sauce will begin to thicken.
  • Whisk for another 2 mins while the sauce bubbles then stir in 100g grated strong cheddar cheese (or 50g grated cheddar, 50g crumbled blue cheese) until melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219 calories, Fat 14 grams fat, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 14 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 0.54 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheddar cheese. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the sauce.
  • Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that can prevent the sauce from melting smoothly.
  • Make sure the milk is hot before adding it to the cheese. This will help prevent the cheese from curdling.
  • Stir the sauce constantly until it thickens. This will prevent it from burning.
  • Season the sauce to taste. You may want to add additional salt, pepper, or nutmeg.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately. It is best when it is freshly made.

Conclusion:

This mac and cheese recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic comfort food. The béchamel sauce is creamy and flavorful, and the cheddar cheese adds a sharp and tangy flavor. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. You can also customize it to your liking by adding different ingredients, such as cooked chicken, bacon, or vegetables.

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