Is it really possible to make healthy mac and cheese and still have it taste just as rich and cheesy as the classic?
Easy Healthy Mac And Cheese
Try this healthy mac and cheese recipe when you’re craving mac and cheese but don’t want all the unhealthy saturated fat and calories you’d find in traditional recipes.
The healthy mac and cheese recipe below is low-fat, high-protein, and under 250 calories per serving.
If you make a batch of my favorite Vegan Brownies for dessert, you’ve got yourself a rich and decadent—yet secretly healthy—comfort food feast!
And yes, it really does taste just as cheesy and delicious as traditional mac and cheese!
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I’m very excited to feature Gina Homolka, an incredibly talented friend, on the blog today. Gina’s website, Skinnytaste, has a huge following with fans all over the world, and yet she is one of the most genuine and down-to-earth people you could ever hope to meet.
She puts passion into every one of her recipes and beautiful photos, and she really cares about her readers, no matter the size of their blogs. Years ago, Gina gave me the opportunity to be a guest on her site even though my own blog was much smaller, and I will never forget that kindness. Gina just released The Skinnytaste Cookbook, filled with 150 lower-calorie healthy recipes—from breakfast to dessert—to leave you feeling satisfied, not deprived.
The cookbook includes recipes such as PB&J Overnight Oats, Cinnamon Butternut Squash Soup, Chickpea Potato Curry, and the healthy mac and cheese recipe below:
If you want the mac and cheese to be gluten-free, just be sure to use your favorite variety of gf pasta and breadcrumbs. If gf breadcrumbs are not available, just toast slices of gluten-free bread and then pulse in a food processor until you get breadcrumbs.
Although Gina’s original recipe isn’t vegan, it’s easy to veganize by just using Daiya vegan cheese for the cheese and nutritional yeast or vegan parm.
This is a recipe that everyone can enjoy!
Healthy Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 oz fusilli or elbow pasta
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter spread
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk of choice
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar, or vegan cheddar
- 12 oz fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- cooking spray
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe: In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta and broccoli together, according to package directions for al dente. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large. heavy skillet, melt the buttery spread, then add the onion and cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook 1 minute or until flour is golden and well-combined. Whisk in milk and broth, raise heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil, then cook an additional 5 minutes or until smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Remove from heat, add cheese, and stir until melted. Stir in the cooked pasta and broccoli, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Top with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Spray a little more cooking spray on top. Bake 15-20 minutes, then broil a few minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden.View Skinny Mac & Cheese Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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More Healthy Mac And Cheese Recipes
Vegan Cheese Sauce – The Ultimate Recipe
Jessica says
I’m confused about the nutrition facts. This seems to be the same recipe posted on a number of sites, each of which claim over 300 calories as the calorie count for this recipe (for example: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/skinny-baked-broccoli-mac-cheese/). Are you recommending different ingredients? Can you clarify how you got 244 calories per serving when other recipes which are apparently the same get between 314 and 322? Thanks!
Madisen says
Is there a special kind of buttery spread? Is that not just butter?
Roxy says
Ok, this has just become my favorite web page!
5/5
5/5
Roxy says
Okay, this has just become my favorite web page!
5/5
5/5
Cherice says
What is buttery spread? Is it margarine? Margarine is not healthy at all. You must be talking about some kind of spread recipe you use.
Julie Dove says
Buttery spread is something like Melt or Earth Balance, both of which are trans-fat-free (unlike regular margarine).
Moe says
So I tryed it. It was really good. My family enjoyed it. It came out more like a casserole, either way delicious.
Tori.M says
Pretty bland and tasteless
Miriam says
I love broccoli, but my kids don’t. I make them mac and cheese with whole wheat pasta and no added oil. My two-year-old wants it for lunch literally every day!
https://israelisalad.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/healthier-mac-and-cheese-2-methods/
Tastinutrion says
Made this last night and it came out wonderful! My hubby and kids loved it! Added a bit more flour than called for but otherwise perfect-creamy and delicious! I am a Dietitian and will be passing this on to my clients.
Ranae says
What size is the serving to stay under the 250 calorie mark? 1 cup, 1/2 cup…. don’t want to make it and then play a guessing game. Have to cook for someone else who is on a strict calorie limit.
Judith says
Great page Katie, I book marked it. Thank you for creating it and all the great looking recipes. Judith
Casey Capili says
Made this and it was AMAZING! Hubby loved it, too. It was a side dish to some sockeye salmon and zucchini noodles. I was really craving something cheesy but I have been trying to maintain eating healthier, and this really hit the spot. Will be making again 🙂
Ken says
Recipe says to use 1 cup vegetable broth, but I don’t see this in the directions. When is this used in this recipe?
Irene Binyon says
It is added in with the milk. I didn’t use it because I looked over it also. I will use it next time. Be sure to use some really good quality Italian bread crumbs. This is great!
Susan says
My family loves this recipe, but when I made it a day ahead it was dry. If I would freeze it, which I would like to do, should I bake it first or freeze before baking. Thanks
Jason Sanford says
Bake first
Kayla says
I made this tonight for my husband and kids (2 and 4) . They cleaned their plates. I came across this recipe because I have been struggling with my kids, my 2 year old mostly, to eat their meals, rather than just snacks. So I am making their faves but with added nutrition. I used protein elbow pasta in place of regular pasta for extra protein. My husband said it was restaurant quality and said I need to make this more often. Thank you!
Jason Sanford says
I love the picture!
Niloofar says
Thanks Katie for sharing the recipe. Gonna try it soon. Just had a question. Do you think I can skip the baking step and just cook it like a regular mac and cheese?
Bec says
This was an amazing consistency before baking, but after, was almost a bit gritty. I probably would add some mustard powder, garlic and a pinch of cayenne next time as it was a little one dimensional. Love the idea though!
Judi says
This sounds so good! So simple but healthy!
Wenn says
What kind of onion is used?
Jason Sanford says
Regular white onion 🙂
Lori says
What kind of flour do you use? Whole wheat?
Jason Sanford says
That works!
Jennifer G. says
My bf and I add splash of white wine and some wholegrain mustard to this recipe – makes it extra delicious! It’s now a staple of our household.
Irene Binyon says
I loved the healthy vegan mac and cheese with broccoli’ and I don’t like broccoli! A keeper for sure!
Chelsea says
I love this recipe– it looks so good and I never thought of using broth in a mac and cheese! Thanks so much for sharing– your site is great. 🙂
Tara says
3 recipe substitute questions: 1) Does leaving out the onion make a huge difference in the taste? Can I swap for raw garlic? Onion doesn’t sit well on the stomachs in this household 😛
2) Can I use coconut flour instead of regular flower?
3) Can I use oat milk instead of regular milk?
I am drooling over this and can’t wait to make this for my southern food loving, southern husband. 🙂
Tara says
lol, so many errors! I hope ya’ll can have some grace and can see around them XD. I’m typing and trying to make food too fast.
CCK Media Team says
Hi, this is Skinnytaste’s recipe so I would reach out to her! 🙂
Vivian says
How many calories per serving?
CCK Media Team says
Hi, full nutrition facts for Katie’s recipes are always linked right under the recipe ingredients 🙂