If you crave pasta but don’t crave what it does to your waistline, then have no fear, lightened-up comfort food is here! This mac & cheese uses whole wheat pasta to boost nutrients and fiber and skim or low fat milk and cheese to slash calories. Psst… check out our lightened up variation on the traditional mac ‘n cheese– our Creamy Cauliflower Mac ‘n Cheese!
Skinny Mac & Cheese
Serves: 6
Ingredients
8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (about 2 cups)
1 3/4 cups skim or 1% milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 cup shredded extra-sharp low-fat Cheddar cheese
1 ounce reduced fat cream cheese
2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup milk, flour, salt and pepper until mixed thoroughly. Over medium heat, heat the remaining 1-1/2 cup milk in a broiler safe pan. Once simmering, add the flour mixture. Reduce to medium-low heat and constantly whisk for about 1-2 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, cream cheese and vinegar until the cheese is melted. Stir the pasta into the sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler on high.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, oil and sprinkle over pasta. Broil until browned, approximately 1 -3 minutes. Enjoy!!
Nutrition Facts: 160 calories, 7 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 18 mg cholesterol, 329 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 12 g protein
- 8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (about 2 cups)
- 1¾ cups skim or 1% milk, divided
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup shredded extra-sharp low-fat Cheddar cheese
- 1 ounce reduced fat cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
- ¼ cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk ¼ cup milk, flour, salt and pepper until mixed thoroughly. Over medium heat, heat the remaining 1-1/2 cup milk in a broiler safe pan. Once simmering, add the flour mixture. Reduce to medium-low heat and constantly whisk for about 1-2 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, cream cheese and vinegar until the cheese is melted. Stir the pasta into the sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler on high.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, oil and sprinkle over pasta. Broil until browned, approximately 1 -3 minutes. Enjoy!!.