Is it really possible to make healthy mac and cheese and still have it taste just as rich and cheesy as the classic?
Easy Healthy Mac And Cheese
Try this healthy mac and cheese recipe when you’re craving mac and cheese but don’t want all the unhealthy saturated fat and calories you’d find in traditional recipes.
The healthy mac and cheese recipe below is low-fat, high-protein, and under 250 calories per serving.
If you make a batch of my favorite Vegan Brownies for dessert, you’ve got yourself a rich and decadent—yet secretly healthy—comfort food feast!
And yes, it really does taste just as cheesy and delicious as traditional mac and cheese!
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I’m very excited to feature Gina Homolka, an incredibly talented friend, on the blog today. Gina’s website, Skinnytaste, has a huge following with fans all over the world, and yet she is one of the most genuine and down-to-earth people you could ever hope to meet.
She puts passion into every one of her recipes and beautiful photos, and she really cares about her readers, no matter the size of their blogs. Years ago, Gina gave me the opportunity to be a guest on her site even though my own blog was much smaller, and I will never forget that kindness. Gina just released The Skinnytaste Cookbook, filled with 150 lower-calorie healthy recipes—from breakfast to dessert—to leave you feeling satisfied, not deprived.
The cookbook includes recipes such as PB&J Overnight Oats, Cinnamon Butternut Squash Soup, Chickpea Potato Curry, and the healthy mac and cheese recipe below:
If you want the mac and cheese to be gluten-free, just be sure to use your favorite variety of gf pasta and breadcrumbs. If gf breadcrumbs are not available, just toast slices of gluten-free bread and then pulse in a food processor until you get breadcrumbs.
Although Gina’s original recipe isn’t vegan, it’s easy to veganize by just using Daiya vegan cheese for the cheese and nutritional yeast or vegan parm.
This is a recipe that everyone can enjoy!
Healthy Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 oz fusilli or elbow pasta
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter spread
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk of choice
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar, or vegan cheddar
- 12 oz fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- cooking spray
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe: In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta and broccoli together, according to package directions for al dente. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large. heavy skillet, melt the buttery spread, then add the onion and cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook 1 minute or until flour is golden and well-combined. Whisk in milk and broth, raise heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil, then cook an additional 5 minutes or until smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Remove from heat, add cheese, and stir until melted. Stir in the cooked pasta and broccoli, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Top with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Spray a little more cooking spray on top. Bake 15-20 minutes, then broil a few minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden.View Skinny Mac & Cheese Nutrition Facts
Notes
More Healthy Mac And Cheese Recipes
Vegan Cheese Sauce – The Ultimate Recipe
MMMMmmm! This looks completely delicious!
Granted, I haven’t tasted this one, but I REFUSE to buy vegan cheese. If you’re going to have mac an cheese, you HAVE TO GO ALL OUT! I feel it’s just a rule. No cutting corners for this classic.
This definitely sounds healthier than regular mac and cheese! I need to make it soon and give it to my mac-and-cheese-loving little brother; I doubt he’ll realize there’s a difference–if I leave out the broccoli; ha 🙂
This is the first time I’ve seen you post something non-dessert! 🙂
You must be new!
This looks so delicious, I love Mac n cheese x
Leannewinters.blogspot.co.uk
This is a great cookbook, I bought it about a month ago! Also can’t wait for Katie’s cookbook next month!
Katie, can you make a recipe for raw pasta? It seems that grocery stores near me don’t carry lactose and egg free pasta.
Thanks!
Made this last night. Very yummy, & really hit the spot for craving mac & cheese!!
its so delicious
How many servings is the Skinny Baked Mac & Cheese? It gives nutrition value per serving, but does not indicate the number of servings in this recipe. This must have been overlooked and PLEASE provide this info for me soon
oops, never mind, I found the answer in VERY SMALL PRINT on this page above a photo, however, on the nutritional page, it does not state the number of servings…
It says that the nutrition facts were based on 1/8 of the entire recipe; so I took that to mean a total of 8 servings.