Who doesn't love creamy mac and cheese? 4 recipes to try
Mac & cheese is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. I was a big fan of the boxed variety when I was a kid (the kind that came with a can of "real" cheese sauce, not the powdered cheese stuff, of course). And my mom was a big fan because it was a quick, easy meal that the whole family liked. But when I was finally wise enough to look at the nutrition label on those boxes, I was stunned at all the fat and sodium (and don't forget all those unpronounceable ingredients). Not only is this ultra-creamy version of mac-and-cheese (recipe below) nearly as fast as the boxed variety, but your family will be able to pronounce every ingredient. Even my mom can get on board with that!
When I have some extra time, I like to cook Baked Mac & Cheese. Whenever I make it, I whip up a double batch to freeze for a practically instant dinner on a busy night. And there's a layer of spinach in there, which is delicious and nutritious!
Hate spinach or just prefer your mac & cheese unadorned? Try our plain-Jane veggie-free baked Macaroni & Cheese. Or if you want to really get fancy, go for Cheesy Chicken Pasta, an ooey-gooey crowd-pleasing pasta dish that's like rich and creamy macaroni-and-cheese tossed with cauliflower and chicken. If mac & cheese is just one of the reasons you love pasta, here are 22 other ways to dress up a box of pasta.
No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese
8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (2 cups)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk, divided
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 4 minutes. Add frozen broccoli and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and broccoli are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups milk in another large pot over medium-high heat until just simmering. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the simmering milk; return to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in Cheddar, Parmesan and mustard until the cheese is melted.
3. Drain the pasta and broccoli and add to the cheese sauce. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat, until heated through, about 1 minute.
Makes 4 servings, 1 1/4 cups each.
Per serving: 412 calories; 13 g fat (7 g sat, 1 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 56 g carbohydrate; 22 g protein; 7 g fiber; 640 mg sodium; 236 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value), Calcium (40% dv), Fiber (27% dv), Vitamin A (25% dv), Magnesium (16% dv).
By Carolyn Malcoun
When associate editor Carolyn Malcoun came to Vermont to attend New England Culinary Institute, she knew she didn't want to work in a restaurant but knew that she wanted to do something in the food industry. Luckily she discovered EatingWell, where she's able to combine her love of food and writing.
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