Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese

To make this rich mac and cheese recipe healthier we use whole wheat bread crumbs, low-fat milk and cheese, whole wheat noodles, and reduced the amount of butter. Serve with a salad for a healthy meatless dinner.

You will need:

  • 1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat macaroni (such as Smart Taste®)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
  • 1 pinch paprika

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 20 mins/Cooking Time: 30 mins/ Total Time: 50 mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 770.4


 

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