Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
This healthy mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at it's finest!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni (wheat, whole wheat, high protein or gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour (or gluten-free flour mix)
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cups skim milk (use rice milk for dairy-free)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar (for best results shred yourself. use violife for dairy-free)
- kosher salt (and black pepper, to taste)
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
- olive oil spray
Directions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Spray a baking dish with oil.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat stirring with a whisk.
- Add onion and cook another 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheese 1/4 cup at a time and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and baby spinach.
- Pour into baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more oil on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.
