Best Healthy Creamy Mac And Cheese Recipes

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CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 to 2 cups 2% milk
1 cup sour cream
8 ounces cubed Velveeta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

Macaroni and cheese is perfect supper food. It's a kids' favorite, and adults like it too. My recipe is simple and almost as quick as the boxed variety.

Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon salt
1 pound elbow, shell or other bite-size shaped pasta
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans evaporated milk
1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
⅓ cup flour
1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large soup kettle. Add salt and pasta. Using package directions as a guide, cook until al dente. Drain. To prevent sticking, drain and immediately pour onto a large lipped baking sheet and let cool while preparing sauce.
  • Meanwhile, microwave the milk and chicken broth in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or bowl until hot and steamy (not boiling). Melt butter in the empty pasta pot; whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard, Parmesan and pepper. Turn off heat, stir in cheddar until melted.
  • Add drained pasta (and optional flavoring ingredients, see notes) to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined over low heat. Stir to heat through, and thin with a little water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 529.1 calories, Carbohydrate 47.1 g, Cholesterol 82.3 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 1202.9 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

FAMILY-FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese image

Creamy and cheesy, this homemade mac and cheese recipe is just the ticket for traditional comfort food, but with lots of mix-in possibilities that help you put a flavor-forward twist on a classic recipe. Check out the Expert Tips section below for suggestions on adding bacon, caramelized onions, fire-roasted diced tomatoes and even lobster.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (7 ounces)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded or cubed Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.
  • While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constanly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
  • Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
  • Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 560 mg

CREAM-CHEESY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cream-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Cream-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LorenLou

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb elbow macaroni (or whatever you prefer)
3 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon flour
3 cups milk
8 ounces cream cheese (reduced-fat OK)
16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
salt
breadcrumbs (optional)

Steps:

  • Spray a 9x13" glass casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • Set aside.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, in a large pot.
  • Drain, rinse, and return to the large pot.
  • Set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the flour, and cook until bubbly (about a minute).
  • Add the milk slowly, stirring after each addition and cook until slightly thickened.
  • Add the cream cheese, again stirring until completely melted.
  • Season with salt.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring gently to combine.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, top with bread crumbs if desired, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.1, Fat 24.7, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 69.1, Sodium 361.4, Carbohydrate 33, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.8, Protein 17.6

MAKEOVER CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Makeover Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

With its creamy consistency and two different cheeses, this entree captures the essence of comfort food. But here's the kicker: it's been slimmed down for you so you can enjoy it without over indulging. -Darcie Zerniak, Ontario, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 pound reduced-fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Minced chives, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat; stir in the sour cream, process cheese, Parmesan, mustard and pepper until smooth. , Drain macaroni; stir in cheddar cheese. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Add cream sauce and mix well. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with chives if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 61mg cholesterol, Sodium 842mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

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