Mac & Cheese Made Healthy

We took this yummy shot of Baked Mac & Cheese [1] 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.

Creamy Mac & Cheese [5]

Makeover [6]
Add/Read Comments (8) [7]

Related Recipes

Baked Mac & Cheese [1]
No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese [8]
Macaroni & Cheese [9]
Cheesy Chicken Pasta [10]
Who doesn't love creamy mac and cheese? 4 recipes to try [11]
Healthy Comfort Food Recipes and Menus [12]
Quick and Healthy Pasta Recipes and Cooking Tips [13]
The EatingWell Bookstore: Cookbooks & More [14]

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 [1]

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.

Get the Recipe: Baked Mac & Cheese [1]

Links:
[1] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baked_mac_cheese.html
[2] http://www.eatingwell.com/user?destination=print/1873
[3] http://www.eatingwell.com/print/1873
[4] http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=healthy_cooking/quick_healthy_cooking/mac_cheese_made_healthy&linkname=Mac & Cheese Made Healthy
[5] http://bed56888308e93972c04-0dfc23b7b97881dee012a129d9518bae.r34.cf1.rackcdn.com/sites/default/files/mac_cheese.jpg
[6] http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/quick_healthy_cooking/mac_cheese_made_healthy
[7] http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/quick_healthy_cooking/mac_cheese_made_healthy?section=comments#tabs
[8] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/no_bake_macaroni_cheese.html
[9] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/macaroni_cheese.html
[10] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cheesy_chicken_pasta.html
[11] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/who_doesnt_love_creamy_mac_and_cheese_4_recipes_to_try
[12] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_comfort_food_recipes
[13] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/quick_healthy_pasta_recipes
[14] http://www.eatingwell.com/shop