Best Reduced Fat Macaroni And Cheese Cooks Country Recipes

LOW FAT MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 (F) degrees.
• In a large pot boil water and follow directions to cook your choice of pasta. Or use those leftover noodles saved over in the fridge (your choice).
• While waiting for the water to boil for the pasta, in a saucepan heat milk over low to low-medium heat. Add the cheeses until they melt, stirring constantly. (Be careful not to scorch or boil the elements in the saucepan).
• In a separate skillet, Caramelize the finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic with non-stick cooking spray until soft and tender, showing a caramelized brown color. Pour the caramelized garlic and onions into the saucepan with the melted cheeses. Mix. To the same saucepan mix in the nutmeg, salt, & pepper.
• Once pasta is al dente, drain the noodles of its pasta water. If you are using up those left over noodles, pour a bit of water in with those noodles and cover, heat on high in the microwave until warm and tender. This will make it easier to mix those cold noodles that may be a bit stiff from sitting in the fridge. Pour the melted cheese mixture in with the cooked noodles and mix until evenly coated.
• In a 2 quart casserole dish spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the noodles and cheese mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle over the top with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and browned on the top.
• Dish and serve hot.
• FYI: If you're not a fan of onions, simply omit this ingredient, it will be just as good. The onions give it a bit more flavor. If you want the flavor of onion but not the onion texture, grate the onions with a cheese grater before caramelizing, it will eliminate the chunky texture within the creamy mac n' cheese.

LOW-FAT CREAMY MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Coat a two-quart casserole dish with non-stick spray.
• Cook macaroni according to package directions.
• Drain macaroni, reserving two tablespoons cooking water.
• Toss macaroni with reserved cooking water, cheeses, sour cream, milk, onions, egg white, margarine, cheese-flavored granules, mustard and peppers until well combined.
• Spoon into casserole dish.
• Sprinkle with cracker crumbs and paprika.
• Cover.
• Bake casserole at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until golden brown an d bubbly, about five minutes.

LOW-FAT MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the milk, cheeses, flour and pepper. Cover and process until creamy. Pour into a bowl; stir in macaroni and onion. Transfer to a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.

MAC & CHEESE - COOK'S COUNTRY RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• 1. COOK MACARONI Adjust oven to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain pasta and return to pot. Pour diced tomatoes with their juices over pasta and stir to coat. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Set aside. 2. MAKE SAUCE Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until foaming. Stir in flour and cayenne and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in half-and-half and broth until smooth. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Off heat, whisk in cheeses, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until cheeses melt. Pour sauce over macaroni and stir to combine. Add a generous amount of Panko bread crumbs, spreading them over the top of the casserole. 3. BAKE MACARONI AND CHEESE Scrape mixture into 13 by 9-inch baking dish set in rimmed baking sheet and bake until top begins to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. You may want to add 3-5 minutes under the broiler to brown the bread crumbs. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. MAKE AHEAD: Macaroni and cheese can be made in advance through step 2. Scrape mixture into 13 by 9-inch baking dish, cool, lay plastic wrap directly on surface of pasta, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

REDUCED FAT MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• Place flour in a large saucepan over medium heat, gradually whisking in milk. Add mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper and Worcestershire. Continue cooking until sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until well blended; add 2/3 of shredded cheese and stir until melted. Add macaroni, stirring until well coated. Pour into prepared baking dish.
• Toss remaining shredded cheese with breadcrumbs and sprinkle over top of macaroni; spray with cooking spray.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden on top and bubbling throughout.