Best 7 Light Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipes
In the culinary world, macaroni and cheese stands as a classic dish, beloved by people of all ages. While traditional macaroni and cheese recipes often contain heavy ingredients like butter, cream, and cheese, it's possible to create a lighter version that maintains its delectable flavor without compromising on healthfulness. This article will guide you through the process of crafting a light baked macaroni and cheese, exploring creative ingredient substitutions and cooking techniques to achieve a guilt-free rendition of this beloved comfort food.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
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
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
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
- For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. -Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain., In a Dutch oven, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat; saute onion until tender. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., In a microwave, melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 689 calories, Fat 37g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 834mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
LIGHT BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is a kid-friendly, adult-pleasing recipe for the traditional baked macaroni and cheese. It is a slightly lighter version using some light cheddar cheese, Velveeta and skim milk.
Provided by d1anechocolate
Categories Cheese
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In medium saucepan, combine first 4 ingredients; stir in milk.
- Add margarine; stirring constantly.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minute.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheese and 1/2 cup Velveeta.
- Add elbows.
- Pour into greased 2-quart casserole.
- Sprinkle with rest of cheddar, grated parmesan and bread crumbs.
- Bake uncovered in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 547.3, Fat 19.6, SaturatedFat 9.2, Cholesterol 41.2, Sodium 1148.9, Carbohydrate 63.4, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 1.8, Protein 27.9
CLASSIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: unsalted butter, all purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, whole milk, heavy cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, panko breadcrumbs
Provided by Next Level Chef on Fox
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a 9-inch square pan.
- Make the bread crumb topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and paprika with a fork until combined. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir until evenly coated in the butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is browned (if the top isn't browning, broil on high for 2-3 minutes).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 22 grams, Sugar 6 grams
BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: Murray's® Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese, Murray's® Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, large eggs, evaporated milk, kosher salt, sugar, freshly ground black pepper, dried elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, Murray's® Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Provided by Kroger
Categories Dinner
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the Murray's® Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese and Sharp White Cheddar Cheese into ½" cubes.
- Add the eggs, evaporated milk, salt, sugar, and pepper to a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 5-8 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the macaroni sit in the hot water for 3 minutes, until tender. Drain the macaroni and return to the pot.
- Turn the heat to low and add the butter and Murray's® Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese are completely melted.
- Pour the macaroni into a 9"x13" baking dish greased with butter and spread evenly. Add the egg and milk mixture and the cubed cheese, and carefully fold into the macaroni until well combined.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the top of the macaroni is golden brown.
- Enjoy!
THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE
There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.
Provided by CookingONTheSide
Categories Cheese
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in microwave.
- Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
- Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
- Add milk. Do not stir.
- Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
- To make the macaroni and cheese lighter, use low-fat or non-fat milk and cheese.
- Add some vegetables to the macaroni and cheese, such as spinach, broccoli, or cauliflower.
- To make the macaroni and cheese more flavorful, add some herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano.
- If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the macaroni and cheese before baking.
Conclusion:
Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This lightened-up version of macaroni and cheese is just as delicious as the traditional version, but it is lower in fat and calories. So, you can enjoy this dish without guilt!
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