Mac & Cheese Made Healthy

We took this yummy shot of Baked Mac & Cheese for the cover of our book, Comfort Foods Made Healthy. Mac-and-cheese didn’t end up on the cover (twice-baked stuffed potatoes won that spot) but it doesn’t change the fact that mac-and-cheese is an all-time crowd-pleaser. It’s the epitome of comfort food.

Related Recipes

This version, which EatingWell contributor Patsy Jamieson developed, is one of my favorite recipes in the whole book. It’s healthier than traditional versions of mac-and-cheese, thanks to a lighter sauce, spinach in the middle and a golden breadcrumb topping.

Here’s how it stacks up nutritionally:

Baked Mac & Cheese

Cut calories by 43%
Cut total fat by 66%
Cut saturated fat by 68%
Added folate and fiber

How We Did It

Add spinach to increase nutrients.
Low-fat milk replaces whole milk to cut down on fat and calories.
Use whole-wheat pasta instead of refined white pasta to boost fiber.
Replace some of the regular (full-fat) cheese with low-fat cottage cheese, which has great creamy texture.