It’s that time of day again when you’re wishing the fridge could talk and tell you what to make for dinner. You stand there, staring at the contents, hoping for some culinary inspiration to magically hit you. Maybe the leftovers from the night before will suddenly transform into a gourmet meal, or perhaps the vegetables will arrange themselves into a delicious dish.
Let our healthy mac and cheese recipe do the talking instead! This delicious, comforting classic is not only easy to make but also satisfies those comfort food cravings without derailing your healthy eating goals. So close the fridge, grab the ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a meal that’s as easy as it is tasty!
Balancing a busy lifestyle often leaves little time for preparing healthy meals, leading us to rely on quick fixes. However, healthy eating doesn’t have to be time-consuming or bland. With a few simple swaps and mindful choices, you can enjoy your favourite comfort foods in a way that has low calories and is satisfying.
Healthy Cheese for Mac and Cheese
One of the essential components of a mac and cheese is, of course, the cheese. When making our recipe, choosing a healthy cheese for mac and cheese ensures you enjoy all the rich, cheesy flavour with less guilt. Traditional recipes often call for full-fat cheeses that can add a significant amount of calories and saturated fat to the dish. To make a healthier version, it’s important to choose a cheese that provides all the flavour with less of the fat. Opting for a low-fat mature Cheddar cheese is a great choice. This type of cheese retains the rich, tangy flavour that makes mac and cheese so delightful while cutting down on the calories and fat content.
Creating a low-calorie mac n cheese doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste or texture. By choosing a low-fat cheddar you’ve already reduced the calories of this dish, but don’t stop there! Making more thoughtful ingredient substitutions, can go even further to being able to enjoy this delicious, creamy mac and cheese. For instance, using semi-skimmed milk instead of whole milk, or a low-fat spread instead full fat, reduces the calorie count while still providing a creamy base for your cheese sauce.
Here’s Our Healthy Mac & Cheese Recipe
Serves 4 | 337 Calories per serving | Prep 15mins | Cook 35mins
Ingredients
- 300g Macaroni Pasta
- 40g Low-fat spread
- 75g Grated low-fat mature Cheddar cheese
- 1 Small onion, finely chopped
- 50g Plain flour
- 600ml Semi-skimmed milk
- 1 Teaspoon English mustard
- 1 Pinch ground black pepper
Method
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan 170°C, gas mark 5).
Cook Macaroni: Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or as per packet instructions, until tender. Drain well and return to the saucepan.
Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the low-fat spread. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the flour. Return to heat and cook gently, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until the mixture resembles sand. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until all milk is added. Return to heat and stir constantly until sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Remove from heat and stir in two-thirds of the grated cheese, mustard, and season with pepper.
Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta in the saucepan. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture into a baking dish or individual serving dishes. Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until piping hot and the cheese on top starts to brown.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions: Serve with your favourite cooked vegetables or a mixed leaf salad. If you’re making this recipe in bulk, try mixing in different vegetables like peas, broccoli, or other veggies into separate batches for a variety of nutrients and flavors.
Making a Healthy Mac & Cheese a Regular Meal
This healthy mac and cheese recipe isn’t just a once-in-a-while treat. It can become a regular part of your meal rotation and is particularly great for those nights when you’re craving something comforting but don’t want to veer off your healthy eating plan. Plus, it’s a hit with family members of all ages, making it a versatile dish for any household. Incorporating more vegetables can also boost the nutritional profile of your mac and cheese. Adding finely chopped onions not only enhances the flavour but also adds a subtle sweetness and a dose of vitamins. Try mixing in some steamed broccoli, spinach, or peas for added fibre and nutrients.
Can You Freeze Mac & Cheese
For those who are constantly on the go, this recipe is easy to prepare and can be made in larger batches for meal prepping. Simply store individual portions in the fridge or freezer, and reheat when needed. This ensures you always have a nutritious, homemade meal ready to go, saving you time and effort on busy days. The mac and cheese can be frozen for up to 3 months and the creamier the sauce is the better it is for freezing. Just thaw it in the fridge for a few hours or microwave before putting it into the oven to bake if you want to rejuvenate that crusty top.
Remember, healthy eating is not about deprivation or strict dieting. It’s about making smarter choices that allow you to indulge in your cravings without guilt. So next time you’re stuck on what to make for dinner, try out our healthy mac and cheese recipe. Find more healthy cheese recipes here. And don’t forget to check out our healthy vs unhealthy cheeses blog too!
Enjoy cooking!