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Healthier Mac and Cheese {Macro Friendly}

January 11, 2019

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

 

 

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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

 

Print
Healthier Mac and Cheese
Prep time:  5 mins
Cook time:  15 mins
Total time:  20 mins
Serves: 8
 
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. 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.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, add flour and salt to a separate saucepan and mix together. Add in milk and whisk together.
  3. 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.
  4. Remove saucepan from heat and add in shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
  5. Pour cheese over cooked pasta, mix together, and enjoy!
3.5.3251

Recipe adapted from Malzisfit

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Filed Under: Dinner, For Kids, Healthy Recipes, Macros, Recipe, Side dish • Tagged With: food, healthy, healthy recipe, macros, meal, recipe, side dish

Hi, I’m Jared

 

I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in exercise prescription. I love being active and love seeing my patients become more active and get into shape. I thought that this would be a good place to share my workouts and ideas with others.

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