Best 6 Slimmed Down Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages. However, it's often high in calories, fat, and sodium. If you're looking for a healthier way to enjoy this dish, there are several ways to slim it down without sacrificing flavor. For instance, you could use low-fat milk or yogurt instead of whole milk and use whole-wheat macaroni instead of regular macaroni. You could also add in healthy ingredients like vegetables and lean protein, or by using a lighter cheese blend. This article will provide you with some delicious and nutritious recipes for a slimmed-down macaroni and cheese.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

VELVEETA® DOWN-HOME MACARONI AND CHEESE



VELVEETA® Down-Home Macaroni and Cheese image

If you're looking for a mac and cheese recipe with the perfect balance of cheesy and creamy, the search ends here.

Provided by VELVEETA Cheese

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     VELVEETA Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 7

¼ cup butter, divided
¼ cup flour
1 cup milk
½ pound VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
½ cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
6 RITZ Crackers, crushed

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Melt 3 Tbsp. butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 2 min., stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add VELVEETA; cook 3 min. or until melted, stirring frequently. Stir in macaroni.
  • Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with Cheddar. Melt remaining butter; toss with cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 25.9 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 18.6 g, SaturatedFat 15.9 g, Sodium 869.1 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

SKINNY CAULIFLOWER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Skinny Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese image

The savory version of having your cake and eating it too, this slimmed-down, super-creamy mac and cheese gets a veggie boost from 2 cups of cauliflower florets, which add wonderful flavor and texture.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 cups water
2 cups chopped cauliflower florets
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1/2 cup Progresso™ Panko Italian style crispy bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

  • In 4-quart saucepan, heat water to boiling over medium heat. Add cauliflower and macaroni; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is tender. Drain; return to saucepan, and cover to keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, stir milk, flour, mustard, salt, black pepper and red pepper with whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted.
  • Add cheese sauce to cooked pasta mixture; mix well. Spoon into baking dish. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over pasta mixture in baking dish. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410, Carbohydrate 47 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 3 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 670 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 1/2 g

DOWN HOME MACARONI AND CHEESE



Down Home Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 quarts water
1 tablespoon salt
1 pound bow tie pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups hot whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup grated Colby or Jack cheese
1 cup grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and reboil before adding the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; about 10 to 12 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter over medium heat in a saucepan until it begins to bubble but do not let it brown. Whisk in the flour to create a roux for the white sauce base. Cook the flour and butter, over low heat, for 5 to 7 minutes, add the hot milk in a steady stream. Cook the white sauce for 10 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, mustard, cayenne pepper, Colby and Cheddar cheeses and cook for 2 minutes over low heat. Drain the pasta and place into a baking casserole dish large enough to hold the pasta and all of the sauce. Add the cheese sauce by pouring over the top. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 15 minutes or until the top is well browned and crusty.;

MAKEOVER CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Makeover Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

With its creamy consistency and two different cheeses, this entree captures the essence of comfort food. But here's the kicker: it's been slimmed down for you so you can enjoy it without over indulging. -Darcie Zerniak, Ontario, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 pound reduced-fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Minced chives, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat; stir in the sour cream, process cheese, Parmesan, mustard and pepper until smooth. , Drain macaroni; stir in cheddar cheese. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Add cream sauce and mix well. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with chives if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 842mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

DOWN-HOME MACARONI & CHEESE



Down-Home Macaroni & Cheese image

Macaroni and cheese that's creamy, cheesy and a Healthy Living recipe, too? It's not the impossible dream. It's real, and its right here!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Macaroni & Cheese

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2 Tbsp. seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup flour
2 cups fat-free milk
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) 2% Milk VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pkg. (7 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Fat Free Cheddar Cheese, divided
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked, drained

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350ºF.
  • Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Remove half of butter; mix with bread crumbs. Set aside. Stir flour into remaining butter in saucepan; cook and stir 1 min. Gradually stir in milk until well blended; cook and stir until thickened. Add VELVEETA and 1-1/2 cups cheddar; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Stir in macaroni.
  • Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with remaining Cheddar and buttered crumbs.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 700 mg, Carbohydrate 44 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 23 g

SLIMMED DOWN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Slimmed Down Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Slimmed Down Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by hansje54

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h5m

Yield 1 Pot, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups fat-free evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces cooked macaroni

Steps:

  • Spray a 4-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. In a small saucepan, heat the mustard, cornstarch, pepper and evaporated milk until warmed through, whisking occasionally. Stir in the cheese.
  • Pour the macaroni into the slow cooker. Top with the cheese mixture and stir. Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours or on high for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 204.4, Fat 2.7, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 296.2, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 12.5, Protein 17.2

Tips:

  • Use whole wheat pasta: Whole wheat pasta is a healthier option than traditional white pasta because it contains more fiber and nutrients. It also has a lower glycemic index, which means it won't cause your blood sugar to spike as much.
  • Add vegetables: Vegetables are a great way to add flavor, nutrition, and color to your macaroni and cheese. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and peas.
  • Use low-fat cheese: Low-fat cheese can help to reduce the fat and calorie content of your macaroni and cheese. You can also use a combination of low-fat and regular cheese to get the best of both worlds.
  • Use skim milk: Skim milk is a healthier option than whole milk or 2% milk because it contains less fat and calories. It also has a higher protein content, which can help to keep you feeling full.
  • Use less butter: Butter is a high-fat ingredient, so it's important to use it sparingly in your macaroni and cheese. You can use a combination of butter and olive oil to get the best flavor without adding too much fat.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Overcooked pasta is mushy and unpleasant to eat. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until it is al dente (firm to the bite).
  • Serve with a salad: A salad is a great way to add some extra vegetables to your meal and make it more balanced. It can also help to lighten up the richness of the macaroni and cheese.

Conclusion:

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following these tips, you can make a healthier version of this dish that is still just as delicious. So next time you're craving macaroni and cheese, give one of these recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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