Reduced Fat Mac and Cheese

Indulge in comfort food without the guilt with this Reduced Fat Mac and Cheese, a lighter take on the classic dish that doesn't skimp on flavor. Made with creamy unsweetened almond milk, reduced-fat sharp cheddar, and a touch of fat-free cream cheese, this recipe offers all the richness you crave with fewer calories and less fat. A golden, crispy topping of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan adds satisfying texture, while a hint of garlic and mustard powder elevates the cheesy sauce with subtle depth. Quick and easy to prepare, this wholesome baked mac and cheese is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Healthy, hearty, and irresistibly delicious—this lighter mac and cheese is guaranteed to be a hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
• 1.5 cups reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp fat-free cream cheese
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp mustard powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 0 cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.

Step 4

Slowly add the almond milk to the roux, whisking constantly to create a smooth mixture. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the reduced-fat cheddar cheese, fat-free cream cheese, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, mixing until evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 9

Lightly spray the breadcrumb topping with cooking spray to help it crisp up during baking.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the mac and cheese is bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your reduced fat mac and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	493.6 grams (493.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1734

Total Fat 58.70g	75%
Saturated Fat 25.20g	126%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 105mg	35%
Sodium 2804mg	122%
Total Carbohydrate 215.10g	78%
Dietary Fiber 9.90g	35%
Total Sugars 11.00g
Protein 88.20g	176%

Vitamin D 36IU	180%
Calcium 1373mg	106%
Iron 10mg	57%
Potassium 267mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.3%

Protein: 20.3%

Carbs: 49.4%