CREAMY, LIGHT MACARONI AND CHEESE
We aimed high for this makeover of a beloved classic: a mac and cheese with all the ooey, gooey cheesiness of the original yet with far fewer calories and saturated fat. Our brilliant discovery? Butternut squash. Simmered in milk until tender and pureed, the squash creates a luscious sauce and gives the bake a gorgeous orange color. A trio of standout cheeses gives the mac its melty factor. The final tally is impressive: Our makeover shaves 500 calories and 30 grams of sat fat off the original.
Provided by Sidney Fry, MS, RD
Time 1h25m
Yield Serves 8 (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Combine squash, broth, milk, and garlic in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place the hot squash mixture in a blender. Add salt, pepper, and Greek yogurt. Remove the center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Place blended squash mixture in a bowl; stir in Gruyère, pecorino Romano, and 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until combined.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain well. Add pasta to squash mixture, and stir until combined. Spread mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add panko, and cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the hot pasta mixture. Lightly coat topping with cooking spray.
- Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390, Carbohydrate 53.9 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 10.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 19.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 589 mg
LIGHT AND CREAMY MAC AND CHEESE
Six ingredients and ten minutes create a one-dish mac and cheese just for two.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 10m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, omitting salt and adding peas for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat milk, cream cheese and American cheese over medium-low heat, stirring carefully with wire whisk, until cheese is melted.
- Add cooked macaroni and peas to cheese sauce; stir to coat. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve topped with croutons.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 440 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g
CREAMIEST MAC AND CHEESE
Boxed or frozen mac and cheese dishes don't even begin to compare to this comforting, from-scratch version that's easy, affordable, and ultra-creamy! Cheddar and cream cheese add a sharp and slightly tangy flavor to the rich sauce which coats perfectly cooked pasta. It's a great base recipe that can be tweaked to your taste by switching up the cheeses or adding some cooked veggies. Serve as a meatless main course with a green salad or as a side dish with roasted or grilled meats.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add macaroni and 2 ½ teaspoons salt and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Shred Cheddar cheese by hand or in a food processor; set aside.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard powder, then 3 ½ cups milk. Whisk occasionally until mixture comes to a simmer, then let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and cook, stirring often, until thick, creamy, and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Stir in 2 cups shredded Cheddar. Turn off the heat and let cheese melt. Stir in cooked macaroni. Add up to ¼ cup milk if you feel like the mixture is too thick.
- Layer ½ of the pasta mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 ½ cups Cheddar. Spread remaining pasta mixture over top and sprinkle with remaining Cheddar.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 504.5 calories, Carbohydrate 41.4 g, Cholesterol 83.2 mg, Fat 28.2 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 17.4 g, Sodium 1157.4 mg
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
CREAMY, LIGHT MACARONI AND CHEESE
From the September 2011 Cooking Light (cover recipe). This is the most delicious macaroni and cheese I've ever eaten! No one will know it's full of healthy butternut squash and just the right amount of cheese. This is a true winner! To save time, I bought my butternut squash in the produce section already cut up. Perfect and what a time saver. Use a pasta with a nice shape to cling to all the yummy sauce.
Provided by CaliforniaJan
Categories Macaroni And Cheese
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Combine squash, broth, milk, and garlic in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place the hot squash mixture in a blender. Add salt, pepper, and Greek yogurt. Remove the center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Place blended squash mixture in a bowl; stir in Gruyère, pecorino Romano, and 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until combined.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain well. Add pasta to squash mixture, and stir until combined. Spread mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add panko, and cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the hot pasta mixture. Lightly coat topping with cooking spray.
- Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.
CREAMY MACARONI 'N' CHEESE
"I prepare this cheesy recipe when I'm craving 'comfort food' but trying to eat a little lighter," advises Dawn Royer of Albany, Oregon. "The hint of mustard adds zip to this creamy side dish-and it makes a pleasing meatless entree, too."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave onion on high for 1 minute or until tender; drain. Add the macaroni, cheddar cheese and parsley; set aside., In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, mustard, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. Stir into macaroni mixture., Pour into a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Fat 6g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 491mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
MILD AND CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
A nice, mild mac 'n cheese, no sharp flavors here. Very creamy with the addition of baked tomato slices on top.
Provided by JoAnn
Categories Grains
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook macaroni and drain.
- Melt butter in pan.
- Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper and flour until smooth, making a light roux.
- Gradually stir in milk.
- Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese.
- Add macaroni.
- Pour into 1 1/2 quart casserole.
- Arrange tomato slices on top, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE (LIGHTER RECIPE)
No need to use a box mix when mac and cheese is as simple--and delicious--as this!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Cook macaroni as directed on package.
- While macaroni is cooking, melt margarine in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
- Drain macaroni. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 5 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 460 mg
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