FitnessTRENDz360
No Result
View All Result
Saturday, February 4, 2023
  • Home
  • Health
  • Workout
  • Weight Loss
  • Food
Subscribe
FitnessTRENDz360
  • Home
  • Health
  • Workout
  • Weight Loss
  • Food
No Result
View All Result
FitnessTRENDz360
No Result
View All Result
Home Food

Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese

by admin
April 20, 2020
in Food
0
Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese
152
SHARES
1.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


This creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It’s comfort food at it’s finest!

This creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I love homemade macaroni and cheese. It’s so much better than the boxed versions, but mac and cheese can be so heavy that it’s hard to enjoy it very often. This healthier mac and cheese recipe is not only lighter, but it will also be a hit with your kids. My skeptical daughter gave it her approval. For low-carb macaroni and cheese options, try Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese or Baked Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese.

This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!

If you want to make this recipe a quick stovetop mac and cheese, you can skip the last step. Just serve it without the breadcrumbs and grated cheese.

I lightened up this casserole in four ways:

  1. Reduced the butter
  2. Used reduced fat cheddar cheese
  3. Replaced cream with skim milk and chicken broth
  4. Added fresh baby spinach

For creamy macaroni and cheese, it’s essential to choose a good cheese. Grating the cheese yourself will give the the smoothest cheese sauce.

Tips for Perfect Cheese Sauce (not grainy or gritty)

Have you ever made a mac and cheese that wasn’t creamy or smooth? Instead if was grainy or gritty? The worst! Here’s a few steps you should take for perfectly creamy cheese sauce.

  1. Shred your own cheese. For this recipe, grating your own cheese will give you the smoothest results.
  2. Start with a white sauce. A white sauce is made with butter or olive oil stirred with flour and milk. It thickens once it cools, then you stir the cheese into it to make your cheese sauce.
  3. Do NOT add the cheese to boiling sauce. When adding the cheese, remove the white sauce from the heat completely before adding the cheese. I usually move this to a different burner so it stops boiling. You don’t want to add the cheese to the mixture if it’s boiling/bubbling. Doing so will cause the cheese to break down causing a gritty texture.
  4. Add the cheese a little at a time. I usually do this 1/4 cup at a time, whisking in between until it’s all melted.

Is mac and cheese unhealthy?

Mac and cheese isn’t necessarily unhealthy, but it depends on the recipe – some recipes are worse than others. Macaroni and cheese does have a good amount of protein from all the milk and cheese. However, the calories can add up quickly, so it’s important to keep your portion size in check.

I also added spinach, which is another good source of fiber. Not to mention, spinach is packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. The reduced fat cheese and skim milk help keep the calorie count down. A one-cup serving of this healthy mac and cheese comes in at just under 300 calories.

What do you serve with mac and cheese?

This easy baked mac and cheese would make a delicious main dish for dinner for a busy weeknight. If you want to add a side, you could serve it with a side salad like this chopped wedge or Caesar salad. Or serve it as a side dish with an entrée like turkey meatloaf or baked chicken tenders.

Can I refrigerate before baking?

Yes, you can refrigerate macaroni and cheese before you bake it. This make-ahead mac and cheese is a great option for meal prep. Do all the cooking whenever you have the time and bake it right before you’re ready to eat.

To refrigerate before baking, you will complete all the steps up to putting the mixture in the pan. Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake it, pull the mac out of the fridge while the oven is preheating and top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

You will need to bake the macaroni and cheese casserole a little longer since it’ll be cold. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until heated through.

Variations

  • Switch out the spinach for other vegetables like mushrooms or broccoli.
  • Sub the 2% cheddar for reduced fat Gruyere.
  • Use whole wheat, gluten-free, or chickpea pasta instead of fiber-enriched pasta.
  • Try a different shaped pasta like farfalle, rotini, or penne.
  • Swap the breadcrumbs for panko.

white sauce for mac and cheeseThis creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!

More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes You’ll Love:

Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It’s comfort food at it’s finest!

  • 12 oz elbow macaroni, wheat or whole wheat
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 8 oz reduced fat cheddar, for best results shred yourself
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1/8 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
  • olive oil spray
  • Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Spray a baking dish with buttered flavor Pam.

  • Preheat oven to 375F°.

  • In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat stirring with a whisk.

  • Add onion and cook another 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheese 1/4 cup at a time and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and baby spinach.

  • Pour into baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more oil on top.

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 297kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Fat: 10g, Fiber: 5.5g

Blue Smart Points: 10

Green Smart Points: 10

Purple Smart Points: 6

Points +: 7

Keywords: baked macaroni and cheese, baked macaroni and cheese recipe, Healthy Macaroni and Cheese, macaroni and cheese with spinach

posted April 20, 2020 by Gina



Source link

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Your Colorful Guide to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Your Colorful Guide to Santa Fe, New Mexico

June 8, 2022

4 Ways To Have a Fitness-Minded Memorial

June 8, 2022

Grilled Tuna over Arugula with Lemon Vinaigrette

June 7, 2022
DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan

DOT rolls out Calabarzon Culinary Caravan

June 6, 2022
WORKOUT WITH ME FOR A WHOLE WEEK! MY ACTUAL WORKOUT ROUTINE..

WORKOUT WITH ME FOR A WHOLE WEEK! MY ACTUAL WORKOUT ROUTINE..

0
Kale and Butternut Squash Salad with Pears and Almonds

Kale and Butternut Squash Salad with Pears and Almonds

0
Study: Could Microbe Manipulation Offer An Alternative To Weight Loss Surgery? | Weight Loss Denver | Weight Loss Seattle | Phentermine Pills

Study: Could Microbe Manipulation Offer An Alternative To Weight Loss Surgery? | Weight Loss Denver | Weight Loss Seattle | Phentermine Pills

0
Tea Time: Bonavita Electric Kettle

Tea Time: Bonavita Electric Kettle

0
7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (Feb 6-12)

7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (Feb 6-12)

February 4, 2023

14 Healthy Cherry Recipes | The Leaf

February 4, 2023

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

February 3, 2023

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

February 3, 2023
FitnessTRENDz360

We publish a comprehensive news feed covering all news relevant to the Fitness and Health. Ketogenic diet and lifestyle information, motivation, and education. Living the high fat, low carb life is the healthiest way to live.

Categories

  • Food
  • Health
  • Uncategorized
  • Weight Loss
  • Workout

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020

Recent Posts

7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (Feb 6-12)

7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (Feb 6-12)

February 4, 2023

14 Healthy Cherry Recipes | The Leaf

February 4, 2023

© 2021 FitnessTRENDz360.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Health
  • Workout
  • Weight Loss
  • Food

© 2021 FitnessTRENDz360.com