Creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese made healthier with whole wheat pasta, whole wheat flour, light cream cheese, skim milk, and reduced-fat cheese. Both kids and adults LOVE this dish!
I will admit that I am a grown man who loves macaroni and cheese. I mean, what’s not to love? Cheese + pasta – does it get any better than that?
Today I wanted to share a lightened up version of macaroni and cheese that you can feel good about eating and serving your family.
Like all the recipes I share, it’s made using simple ingredients you probably have at home right now and is easy to throw together.
How to make healthier mac and cheese:
While this isn’t a dish that I would recommend you eat everyday, it’s definitely a lot better for you than any boxed macaroni and cheese.
- Start by cooking 12 ounces of whole wheat pasta. You can use elbow macaroni, rotini pasta (like I used in the picture), penne pasta, or any whole wheat variety that you have available. Set cooked pasta aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, add flour and salt to a separate saucepan and mix together. Add in milk and whisk together.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and add in cream cheese to the milk mixture. Stir constantly until it starts to boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
- Remove saucepan from heat and add in shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
- Pour cheese over cooked pasta, mix together, and enjoy!
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What are the nutrition facts for this healthier mac and cheese?
Macros for this healthier mac and cheese:
15.9 g Protein | 37.5 Carbs | 8.6 g Fat
Want to learn more about macros? Check out this post that is all about macros and how to count them!
Want to know what I eat in 4 weeks to lose weight?
Here’s my 4 Week 1500 Calorie Healthy Meal Plan – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Each day is perfectly calculated to 1500 calories by a registered dietitian with balanced macros.
All recipes are family-friendly and budget-friendly – it makes weight loss taste good!
Other things to add to Mac and Cheese:
- Steamed broccoli
- Cooked and crumbled bacon
- Cooked peas
- Hot sauce
- Ground beef
- Cooked and chopped ham
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Diced onion
- Garlic salt
What to serve with Mac and Cheese
Need some healthy main dish ideas? Try one of these:
- Grilled Chicken Avocado Wraps
- Grilled Greek Pork Chops
- Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
- Loaded Vegetable Sandwich
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- 12 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni (or your favorite whole wheat pasta)
- 3 Tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups skim milk
- 4 Tablespoons light cream cheese (I used Greek yogurt cream cheese)
- 2 cups reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- Cook 12 ounces of whole wheat pasta as directed on package (you can use elbow macaroni, rotini pasta (like I used in the picture), penne pasta, or any whole wheat variety that you have available). Set cooked pasta aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, add flour and salt to a separate saucepan and mix together. Add in milk and whisk together.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and add in cream cheese to the milk mixture. Stir constantly until it starts to boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
- Remove saucepan from heat and add in shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
- Pour cheese over cooked pasta, mix together, and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Malzisfit
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