"A comforting, creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese crafted with a lighter touch, featuring tender macaroni enveloped in a velvety, reduced-fat cheese sauce, all without the need for flour, offering a guilt-free indulgence."
Why it's Healthy
This healthier rendition of macaroni and cheese significantly reduces saturated fat and total calorie content. By utilizing skim milk instead of whole milk and opting for a reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, we maintain robust flavor while cutting down on unhealthy fats. The quantity of butter is also minimized. The clever use of spices like mustard powder and garlic powder enhances the 'cheesy' profile, allowing for a satisfying taste experience with less reliance on high-fat ingredients, making it a more nutritionally balanced and calorie-conscious meal.
Ingredients
Nutrition Facts
Detailed Breakdown
| Item | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macaroni | 25.2g | 148.6g | 3.0g | 5.4g | 6.4g |
| Cheese | 42.5g | 4.0g | 23.9g | 0.8g | 0.0g |
| Milk | 17.0g | 25.0g | 0.5g | 25.0g | 0.0g |
| Butter | 0.1g | 0.0g | 12.2g | 0.0g | 0.0g |
| Salt | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.0g |
| Black Pepper | 0.1g | 0.6g | 0.0g | 0.0g | 0.3g |
| Mustard powder | 0.5g | 0.6g | 0.6g | 0.1g | 0.3g |
| Garlic powder | 0.3g | 1.5g | 0.0g | 0.5g | 0.2g |
| Smoked Paprika | 0.1g | 0.5g | 0.1g | 0.1g | 0.4g |
Instructions
- 1
Bring 8 ½ cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add ¾ tsp of salt, then add 7.05 oz of macaroni. Cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the macaroni thoroughly and set aside.
- 2
Using the same pot, melt 0.55 oz of butter over medium-low heat. Pour in 2 cup of skim milk and warm gently, stirring occasionally, until it is steaming (approximately 70-175°F) but not boiling.
- 3
Reduce the heat to its lowest setting. Gradually add 5.3 oz of shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese to the warm milk mixture, stirring continuously with a whisk or spoon until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Ensure no clumps remain.
- 4
Stir in the remaining ¾ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp of ground black pepper, ¾ tsp of mustard powder, ¾ tsp of garlic powder, and ¼ tsp of smoked paprika. Mix until all the seasonings are well combined into the cheese sauce.
- 5
Add the drained, cooked macaroni back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly until every noodle is evenly coated with the rich, creamy sauce.
- 6
Serve the Wholesome Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese immediately while it is warm and fresh.
Want to create your own recipes?
Get the full step-by-step instructions, healthy swaps, and macros with the CraveCraft app!
By using CraveCraft, you acknowledge that you use these recipes at your own risk.