Healthier Homemade Mac And Cheese Food

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

HEALTHY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, add broth, milk, butter, garlic powder, mustard, salt, ground black pepper and bring to a boil.
• Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Cook until al dente or desired firmness and adding more milk or broth if you wish.
• Turn off heat. Add marble cheese and Parmesan cheese in portions and stir between each until melted. That's it.
• Serve immediately as mac and cheese tastes best fresh. Saucy, creamy and so comforting!
• Top with your favorite hot sauce, everything bagel, Montreal steak spice, paprika, nutmeg, soy sauce and even honey. Or with leftover chopped bacon. I like to bake mine at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes. Way less mess.

HEALTHY MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil pasta according to package directions.
• Drain and place back into boiling pot.
• Leave burner on low-med.
• Do not rinse.
• Add olive oil and salt to noodles and stir to cover noodles.
• Add carrots and broccoli and stir.
• Add cheese.
• Stir until melted over low-med heat.
• Serve.

LOW FAT MAC AND FOUR CHEESE (WITH SQUASH) - HEALTHY!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, Jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.
• Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.

HEALTHY BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• I like to use the healthy choice or smart balance cheeses. Use Tabasco to taste of course--my husband likes it spicy!
• Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9x13 or 3-quart baking dish with nonstick spray oil.
• Cook macaroni according to package directions.
• In a food processor or blender, mix ricotta cheese, milk, egg substitute, mustard, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper.
• Process until smooth.
• Drain macaroni, return to pot and add shredded cheddar. Stir until cheese melts. Stir in ricotta mixture and scrape into prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni and cheese.
• Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Serve hot.

HEALTHY MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in a large pot according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, combine the cheese and yogurt in a small bowl.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, and stiff in the mustard.
• Add cooked macaroni to the butter mixture, and toss to coat.
• Stir in the cheese mixture and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir until cheese is fully melted.

HEALTHIER CAULIFLOWER MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Steam cauliflower either on stove or in microwave until tender but not mushy. Put into 9x11 baking dish.
• Chop or shred cheese(s) and put aside.
• In a large saucepan combine milk, Wondra flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, stirring to combine milk and flour so there are no lumps. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until milk comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Turn off heat and add cashews, cheese, mustard, nutritional yeast, cayenne (if using, can substitute paprika) and stir until cheese has melted.
• Pour cheese sauce over cauliflower in baking dish, stir to combine. Top with panko and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until topping is browned.