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Skinny Macaroni and Cheese

January 9, 2015 by Maggie Jones 9 Comments

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Secrety Skinny Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, cheesy comfort food
It’s a good thing my 2015 goals are all about being healthy and not at all about being modest because I’m so crazy proud of this recipe.

Holy macaroni this pasta is amazing! I mean, how many calories would you pay for a giant plate of creamy, cheesy, homemade macaroni and cheese right now? The usual 600-800? How about 322 calories, baby? Booya!

This cheesy, creamy Macaroni and Cheese is secretly healthy
Not only is this decadent mac and cheese low calorie and low fat, it’s packed with hidden veggies. Cauliflower does double duty by bulking up the pasta (just like in my favorite baked ziti) and adding extra veggie-based creaminess to the sauce. ย That can be our secret, though. ย You’d never suspect it under the decadent, cheesy sauce.

This amazing Mac and Cheese is secretly low calorie and healthy
Just a heads up that it will seem like a lot of sauce when you first add the pasta but things will thicken up while baking. If you want to skip the baking part and enjoy this straight from the stove top (I won’t blame you – I enjoyed more than a few bites straight from the stove), just add an extra 2oz of pasta.

That resolution is going to be so easy to keep this year.

Skinny, Healthy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: About 1-1/2 cups

Calories per serving: 322

Fat per serving: 14g

Skinny, Healthy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 large head cauliflower (about 4 cups florets)
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1/4 c flour
  • 1 c chicken broth
  • 2 c nonfat milk
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 oz low fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 oz Parmesan, divided
  • 2 tbs breadcrumbs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add cauliflower, and boil until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes.

Stir in broth and milk, whisking to incorporate. Bring to a boil and continue whisking until mixture is thick. Stir in nutmeg, cayenne, salt, pepper, and cheeses, reserving a large pinch of Parmesan for the top.

Add 1/2 the cooked cauliflower and puree with an immersion blender or very carefully in a blender. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Add macaroni and reserved cauliflower, breaking the cauliflower into small florets.

Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and reserved Parmesan.

Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.

Nutritional Information

Calories 322
Total Fat 14.0g
Saturated Fat 6.5g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 34mg
Sodium 657mg
Potassium 269mg
Total Carbohydrates 32.1g
Dietary Fiber 2.0g
Sugars 4.7g
Protein 18.9g
Weight Watchers Points: 7
PointsPlus: 9

3.1
https://www.homesweetjones.com/2015/01/skinny-macaroni-cheese/

Baked Macaroni and Cheese under 350 calories a serving

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Comments

  1. CakePants says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Aw man, you know just what this girl needs on a Friday after a long week! This may be the first time I’ll ever enjoy cauliflower…

    Reply
  2. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says

    January 11, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    SKINNY Mac ‘n cheese- I so need to make this really soon! Love it, looks so tasty and delicious. Bookmarked! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  3. Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says

    January 13, 2015 at 10:51 am

    Drooling. Love your cauliflower add in (obviously!)

    Reply
    • Maggie Jones says

      January 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm

      Great minds think alike ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  4. Brad Jones (Maggie's husband) says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I think my wife channeled a little Stuart Scott for this blog. :’-( Well today she must be the bus driver, ’cause she just took other mac and cheese recipes to school! This is one of those recipes where the healthy version tastes like the real thing. I scarfed this one down and am not sure if she got any of the leftovers ’cause it was the first thing I looked for in the fridge to take to work the next few mornings. An instant classic “Skinny Mac & Cheese Boo-Yeah!”
    –(R.I.P Stuart. We’ll miss you.)–

    Reply
  5. Mimi says

    December 5, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I made this recipe tonight and loved it! Since I have a few food allergies I replaced a few of the ingredients:
    – cornmeal instead of flour
    – almond milk instead of milk
    – lactose free cheddar instead of cheddar
    And allowed myself the pleasure of panko and Parmesan to top!
    And I have to say this is the best mac n cheese recipe ever! Thank so much for sharing! I love the touch of cayenne and nutmeg to the recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie Jones says

      December 5, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      I’m so glad you loved this, too – you’ve totally made my day!

      I have to try it with the almond milk – sounds very tasty.

      Reply
  6. Kristen says

    December 11, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    Made this tonight.. OMG is what I have to say about this. Definitely fills the mac and cheese ooey gooey cheesy cravings SO GOOD.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. In Total Agreement | The Deviled Egg Wears Prada says:
    February 9, 2016 at 7:36 am

    […] taco dip, buffalo chicken dip, cheese and crackers, chicken wings from The Diamond, and this skinny macaroni and cheese which I made for the first […]

    Reply

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