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
ATTENTION: This mac and cheese is delicious. It took a little while for me to make. However, I was using the oven and stove in my dorm. I’m sure all of you at home will have a much easier time. I LOVE this. Plus I get to have it for dinner all week, so you know, bonus.
Hi! I was wondering did you use vegan cheese? Also, if you did what brand? Thanks 🙂
Do you think this would work using unsweetened almond milk as the milk?
Yes 🙂
i have used almond milk and it was delicious!
This was amazing. Thank you very much. My choice of milk was cashew. I also added jalaepenos and bacon for my husband. Haha came out great.
I love this recipe and most importantly so do my kids, ages 7 and 10. I feel good making them something healthy and love that it is easy and delicious.
I am
New to your blog and just wanted to say thanks. This is soooo good. I’ll be a loyal reader from now on.
I’m new to your blog. Have tried a couple of recipes, which have been tasty. Just ordered your cookbook. I love to see someone who is passionate and works at it to be successful! Congrats on your achievements!
I just made this tonight and I am in love! Can’t wait to make it again!
We make this recipe all the time. Thanks for introducing us to skinnytaste!
Have you tried any Go Veggie! products? Also, if i used low fat regular cheese products would the calories get a lot higher? Thank you this looks amazing ! xx
This looks really good! But I can’t find daiya brand do you think I could use Go Veggie! Vegan cheese? Thanks xx