Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food, but it's not exactly known for being light or healthy. However, with a few simple swaps, you can create a lighter version of this dish that's just as delicious and satisfying. In this article, we'll share a recipe for a lighter mac and cheese with tomatoes that uses low-fat cheese, whole wheat pasta, and plenty of fresh vegetables. You'll also learn how to make a simple tomato sauce that adds a burst of flavor to the dish.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE (LIGHTER RECIPE)
No need to use a box mix when mac and cheese is as simple--and delicious--as this!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Cook macaroni as directed on package.
- While macaroni is cooking, melt margarine in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
- Drain macaroni. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 5 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 460 mg
LIGHTENED-UP MAC AND CHEESE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the butter to the empty pot and melt over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and mustard powder and cook, stirring, until the flour begins to toast, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and the reserved cooking water; cook, whisking, until thick, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Whisk in the sour cream, mozzarella, Swiss cheese and 1 tablespoon parmesan; continue whisking until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; transfer to a 2-quart flameproof baking dish. Preheat the broiler. Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan, the herbs, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pasta. Broil until golden and bubbly, about 2 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 545 calorie, Fat 18 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Cholesterol 49 milligrams, Sodium 639 milligrams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 26 grams
LIGHTER MAC AND CHEESE WITH TOMATOES
I have a full fat version of this posted, this one is equally as good and safe for weight watchers. I came up with it on the weight watchers website and if serving 4 people it is 5 points per serving.
Provided by Red Chef Mama
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook macaroni in boiling (not salted) water until al dente.
- Drain macaroni, place back in pot and add the sour cream, stir well.
- Add the tomatoes to the noodles and mix.
- Add the cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of the parmesan and stir until well mixed.
- Pour noodle mixture into square casserole dish.
- Mix the remaining parmesan and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of the casserole.
- Bake until bubbly and brown (20-30 minutes) and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 272.7, Fat 3.2, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 7.3, Sodium 462.5, Carbohydrate 50.3, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 8.6, Protein 11
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BROILED TOMATOES
Blistered tomatoes and a crunchy panko topping elevate this three-cheese mac.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat broiler. Slice tomatoes into thick rounds, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until tomatoes start to brown, about 8 minutes; let cool slightly. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 1 day.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta in a medium pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Return empty pot to medium heat and add butter. When butter melts and foams, add flour and whisk until darkened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add mustard powder and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add cheese in 3 batches, starting with American. Follow with 2 cups cheddar and 1 cup Parmesan. Whisk to fully combine after adding each cheese. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss pasta with cheese sauce and reserved pasta water. Transfer to an 8-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix panko with melted butter and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup cheddar. Top pasta with broiled tomatoes and panko mixture. Bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
LIGHTER MACARONI AND CHEESE
These individual mac-and-cheese casseroles call for pungent Parmesan and extra-sharp cheddar, which means the noodles get away with less-than-usual amounts of cheese. Low-fat milk, chicken stock, and olive oil keep the sauce creamy.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread tomatoes in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tomatoes have softened, about 20 minutes. (Leave oven on.)
- Process bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with remaining tablespoon oil in amedium skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta. Cook pasta until almost al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain, and run under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
- Whisk 1/2 cup stock into the flour in a medium bowl; set aside. Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in nutmeg, cayenne, remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add milk and remaining 1 1/2 cups stock. Whisk in flour mixture. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce to a simmer. Cook 8 minutes, whisking frequently. Add cheeses; cook, stirring, until melted. Pour over macaroni, stirring to combine.
- Put eight 4 1/2-by-1 1/4-inch ramekins on a baking sheet. Put 2 tomato slices in bottom of each ramekin. Divide macaroni mixture evenly among ramekins. Top each with a tomato slice. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and thyme sprigs. Bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
LIGHTENED-UP MACARONI AND CHEESE
Who doesn't love macaroni and cheese? This lightened-up version is sure to please those who want to indulge without the extra calories!
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Noodle Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Coat an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook whole wheat macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
- Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
- Stir 1 tablespoon evaporated milk and tapioca together in a saucepan. Whisk in remaining milk. Stir in Cheddar cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sauce thickens a bit and cheese is completely melted. Drain pasta and stir into the sauce. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- Cook under the broiler until top browns, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.5 g, Cholesterol 26.4 mg, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 17.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 400.6 mg, Sugar 4 g
CHEESE AND TOMATO MACARONI
A family favorite. Very easy to make and ideal if you have a tight budget.
Provided by J.R. Jackson
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and transfer pasta to a large baking dish.
- Heat vegetable oil and flour in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until mixture is frothy and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add reserved tomato juice and garlic paste. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and stir in chopped tomatoes and about 3/4 the Cheddar cheese. Simmer until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more. Stir water into tomato sauce if mixture becomes too thick.
- Pour tomato sauce over macaroni and top with remaining Cheddar cheese and sliced tomato.
- Broil in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 384.8 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 29.8 mg, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 15.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 369.2 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
Tips for Making the Best Lighter Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes:
- Use a variety of cheeses. Combining different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, creates a more complex and flavorful sauce.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for mac and cheese because it will hold its shape and not become mushy.
- Make sure the sauce is thick and creamy. A good mac and cheese sauce should be thick enough to coat the pasta but not so thick that it's difficult to stir.
- Add some vegetables. Adding vegetables like chopped broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach to your mac and cheese is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.
- Don't be afraid to experiment. There are endless ways to customize your mac and cheese. Try adding different herbs, spices, or even different types of pasta.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This lighter version of mac and cheese with tomatoes is a healthier and more flavorful take on the traditional dish. With its creamy sauce, tender pasta, and fresh tomatoes, this mac and cheese is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So next time you're in the mood for mac and cheese, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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