Oh, we simply can't get enough of this healthier mac and cheese at our house! Homemade macaroni and cheese has been a beloved comfort food of ours for years and never fails to put a smile on our faces. However, since we're trying to be healthier while still keeping the yummy factor high, we thought we'd take on the challenge of whipping up a low-calorie version of a classic baked mac and cheese dish. We're determined to create something that's full of the ooey-gooey, creamy cheesiness we all know and love, but without all the extra calories!
Yes! You can have tasty healthier mac and cheese!!!!
About four weeks into our diet, we watched a cooking show, and, of course, they made macaroni and cheese. We both looked at each other, and at the same time, we both decided that we wanted (NO, NEEDED) Mac and cheese for dinner. So, we figured, how hard can it be? Stay within our daily calorie target, AND have cheesy, creamy mac and cheese! We knew we would need to really watch the portion size, so we made our usual recipe but measured everything. Then came a very rude awakening. We could only have a half cup and a small salad to keep it within a reasonable amount of calories. Yes, we were bummed!! When you love it as much as we do, half a cup is not a realistic amount of Mac and Cheese.
Another favorite Pasta recipe is Pasta with fresh tomatoes.
Lower Calories and MORE flavor
So we decided to figure out a way to make this favorite dish with lower calories, but, like all of our recipes, the flavor had to be there. I mean, if you're going to eat a healthier mac and cheese, it must be flavorful and, bottom line, has to taste cheesy. Why eat something if it doesn't taste good? Before we focused on our lifestyle change, there were so many times we ate things that weren't that great. You know how it is, you go to a restaurant and the food isn't that great but, because you paid for it, you're still going to eat the meal. Not anymore!!! In fact, I will push it away before eating something that is yucky!
Tips to make a Cheesy Homemade Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is easy to make; there are so many mixtures of cheese to match your preference. This recipe cuts a lot of the calories.
- Salt the Pasta Water
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente. The Macaroni will cook in the sauce, so this keeps it from getting too mushy. Cook the macaroni 2 minutes less than the package directions.
- We love Sharp Cheddar Cheese because it adds an intense cheese flavor
- Shred your own cheese for the macaroni and cheese. The pre-shredded cheese has additives that can change the way the cheese melts.
- Substitute some of the cheese with cream cheese. It doesn't alter the taste, AND it cuts tons of calories.
- Use shells, rotini, penne, elbow, or any pasta with ridges. This type of noodle shape holds the sauce better.
- Don't add all the macaroni at once. You might not have enough sauce for all the pasta. If you want your mac and cheese really creamy, make more sauce than you think is needed.
- Add dry mustard powder for a nice zip that enhances the cheese.
- For a crunchy, spicy top, add cayenne pepper with some Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the dish before baking.
- Baked mac and cheese is best in a wide, shallow dish if you want everyone to have some crunchy top.
- Make in individual containers. This way, you can freeze the Mac and Cheese, and it's readily available for those nights you don't want to cook.
LOOKING FOR MORE RECIPE OPTIONS? WE HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS YOU MIGHT ENJOY!
- Lobster Mac and Cheese - This Lobster Mac and Cheese is a cheesy, creamy dish that's loaded with lobster, three kinds of cheese, and penne pasta and topped with spicy bread crumbs.
- Easy Summer Pasta - Easy Summer Pasta Salad is a flavorful, diet-friendly cold pasta that goes great with cookout meals or as a stand-alone dinner. This salad is perfect to enjoy on a hot summer day.
- The Perfect Loaded Baked Potato - Loaded potato topped with salt, pepper, lite sour cream, onion, bacon bits, and Thai peppers, and it turned out to be a delicious comfort food.
- Loaded Twice Baked Potato Bites with Bacon, Cheddar, and Ranch - Crispy Twice Baked Potato Bites are loaded with creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, & zesty ranch, they're sure to please!
- Spicy Cheesy Chicken - Crunchy Air Fried chicken smothered in a Fiery Cheesy pepper sauce. Serve this spicy, cheesy chicken over rice to make any spicy spice food lover happy.
Healthier Mac and Cheese: Ooey Gooey & Creamy
A Few Things We Use
Ingredients
- 4 ounces White Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- 3 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- 3 ounces Yellow Cheddar Cheese Cubed
- 5 Tablespoons Whipped Cream Cheese
- 5 ounces Mozzarella Cheese Cubed
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Don't use it if you don't like spice
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1 Cup Milk We use 1% milk
- 1 Pound Medium Macaroni Shells
- 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese Use for topping on the Mac and Cheese
- ½ teaspoon Ground Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Boil water and prepare pasta according to the directions on the box. Cook until shells are al dente. If the directions don't have timing for al dente, cook them for about 2 minutes less than the instructions on the box. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Shred cheeses and mix them together in a bowl. Gently stir in the cornstarch, dry mustard, onion powder, and cayenne pepper(optional) to the cheese blend.
- Heat milk slowly in a large saute pan (NOT to boiling). Add the salt and pepper to the milk.
- When the milk is warm, add the shredded cheese blend and the mozzarella cubes. Stir over medium heat until the cheese is melted.
- Add the cooked pasta and the whipped cream cheese to the cheese sauce in the pan and continue to stir.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cubed cheddar cheese.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a casserole dish.
- Sprinkle Parmesan on the top of the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!!!!
Please let us know what you think