Healthy Macaroni Recipes

Find healthy, delicious macaroni recipes including mac & cheese and macaroni salad. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Staff Picks

American Goulash

Rating: 4.73 stars
7
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
By Carolyn Casner

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Rating: 3 stars
1
Like sloppy Joes? Then you'll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors kids love, while parents will like all the veggies that are packed in to make it a healthy meal.
By Robin Bashinsky

Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin. This fast pasta dish calls for avocado to replace some of the mayonnaise, which makes it extra creamy. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables lighten up this healthy pasta salad that you'll be making all summer long.
By Carolyn Casner

Monticello's Macaroni

This is the macaroni and cheese recipe that would have been used in the kitchens at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The popularization of this iconic American dish can be traced to Black cooks who helped spread the dish throughout the United States.
By Leni Sorensen

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Rating: 5 stars
1
A winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.
By Laura Walsh

Deviled-Egg Macaroni Salad

This pasta salad looks like the classic picnic side, but in one bite you'll know it's special. It holds all the incredible flavors of deviled eggs and is creamy too, thanks to mashed avocado and hard-boiled eggs. For the best texture, don't make this more than a few hours before you plan to eat it.
By Adam Hickman

Mac & Cheese with Collards

Rating: 5 stars
4
Dark leafy collards add bold flavor and boost the calcium in this healthy skillet mac and cheese recipe with a crispy topping. If you don't have collards, kale, Swiss chard and spinach are delicious substitutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac

Rating: 5 stars
1
You'll barely notice the cauliflower in this comforting skillet pasta--it's pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce.
By Lauren Grant

Skillet Chili Mac

Rating: 4.5 stars
2
Poblanos add a kick of heat to this chili mac recipe. If that's not your thing, swap in green bell peppers to tone down the heat in this easy pasta dish, which mashes up mac and cheese and chili into a seriously satisfying skillet dinner.
By Stacy Fraser

Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese

Rating: 5 stars
1
Make a healthier version of classic macaroni and cheese with this recipe that adds broccoli for a nutritional boost and an easy way to eat more vegetables. Using an electric pressure cooker, such as the InstantPot, gets dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
By Devon O'Brien

Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

Rating: 2.78 stars
7
Fiber-rich sweet potato is used as the base for the cheese sauce in this healthy, homemade macaroni and cheese recipe. The bright orange color tricks your eyes into thinking this healthy macaroni and cheese recipe is loaded with cheese, but there's actually only about half as much cheese as compared to a traditional recipe.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Broiled Cauliflower "Mac" & Cheese

We replaced pasta with cauliflower in this creamy low-carb "mac" and cheese. A sprinkle of Parmesan on top and a quick trip under the broiler gives this cheesy side dish a savory, crispy crust.
By Carolyn Casner
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Inspiration and Ideas

Baked Mac & Cheese

Baked Mac & Cheese
Rating: Unrated
26
Mac & cheese can be a true comfort on a gloomy day, and our healthy update takes advantage of extra-sharp Cheddar balanced with creamy low-fat cottage cheese and tucks a layer of spinach into the middle, which may help picky eaters down their vegetables. Whole-wheat pasta adds robust flavor and extra fiber.
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Rating: Unrated
2
There's no pasta here, but this gluten-free and low-carb cauliflower "mac & cheese" is as comforting and creamy as your family's favorite cheesy dish.
Spinach-Tomato Macaroni & Cheese

Spinach-Tomato Macaroni & Cheese
Rating: Unrated
2
Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Peas

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Peas
Rating: Unrated
1
Vegan Macaroni Salad

Vegan Macaroni Salad
Rating: Unrated
2
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Rating: Unrated
4

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Rating: 4.5 stars
2

Mac and cheese no longer has to be off the menu if you don't do dairy. A blend of hearty cauliflower, butternut squash, cashews and nutritional yeast gives this vegan macaroni and cheese the gooey, cheesy texture and flavor of traditional mac, without a bit of dairy!

All Healthy Macaroni Recipes

Macaroni Salad

Rating: 4 stars
2
Old-fashioned macaroni salad sometimes contains jarred pimientos, diced ham or pickle relish, but this version is simple and deliciously plain with fresh chopped celery, carrot and onion. A combination of low-fat mayo and sour cream lightens up the dressing, and whole-wheat elbow noodles, spinach and edamame add extra nutrients.
By Virginia Willis

Three-Cheese Vegetable Pasta Toss

Traditional macaroni and cheese is transformed by adding mushrooms, spinach, and tomato sauce. And it's ready in just 20 minutes!
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Quick Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Rating: 5 stars
1
Precut butternut squash in your grocery store's produce section makes this healthy mac and cheese recipe come together in a flash. For extra flavor, try smoked Gouda cheese.
By Julia Clancy

No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese

Rating: 4.66 stars
11
Not only is this ultra-creamy version of mac-and-cheese nearly as fast as the boxed variety, but your family will be able to pronounce every ingredient. If they aren't broccoli fans, substitute a frozen vegetable of your choice.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Mac & Cheese

Rating: 3.5 stars
2
This healthy, homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is topped with plenty of golden breadcrumbs. If you want to add a little flair to this healthy macaroni and cheese, use aged Gruyere instead of Cheddar and add extra ingredients like peas, chopped cooked mushrooms or chopped ham. This recipe makes more Cream Sauce without the Cream than you'll need for the macaroni and cheese. Refrigerate or freeze the extra sauce and use it in place of heavy cream in any sauce or soup that calls for cream.
By John Ash

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Broccoli Rabe

A swirl of prepared pesto gives this healthy mac and cheese recipe instant delicious flavor. If broccoli rabe is too bitter, try using broccolini or regular broccoli instead.
By Julia Clancy

Macaroni & Cheese

Rating: 4.67 stars
3
The sauce for this simple mac-and-cheese uses low-fat cottage cheese as its base. Just a cup of sharp Cheddar adds lots of flavor with not too much fat.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

The more cheese the merrier in this baked macaroni recipe, which also features butternut squash and whole-grain pasta.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Macaroni Pancakes with Mushrooms, Spinach & Tomatoes

This layered macaroni main dish is reminiscent of lasagna. Cooked macaroni is mixed with egg and shredded carrots and cooked like pancakes in a skillet. The pancakes are then stacked with alternating layers of a mushroom-spinach mixture, cheese, and seasoned tomatoes and baked to perfection.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Fresh Macaroni Salad

To lighten up this macaroni salad recipe, we use a blend of light mayonnaise and fat-free yogurt. It's full of unexpected veggies--snap peas, broccoli florets, and roasted red peppers--and if you opt to add hard cooked eggs, you'll get an extra boost of protein!
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Vegan Chili Mac

Raw cashews are the base of this velvety smooth sauce. (A high-speed blender will yield you the creamiest results.) Nutritional yeast and tomato paste provide rich umami flavor to this easy vegan dinner.
By Hilary Meyer

Turkey Meatball Soup

Homemade turkey meatballs are the star of this hearty soup. Full of spinach, macaroni and carrots and topped with grated Parmesan, this recipe takes just about an hour from start to finish.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup

Rating: 4.33 stars
2
A package of frozen pureed winter squash adds sweetness and good nutrition--namely vitamin A, potassium and fiber--to this soup version of a family favorite, mac and cheese. It also lends its orange color to the soup, making it seem cheesier without actually adding more cheese. Feel free to swap in your favorite shape of medium-size pasta for the elbow macaroni. Using convenience items like the frozen squash means that this healthy kid-friendly dinner takes just 30 minutes to prep.
By Annie Peterson

Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese Bites

Rating: 5 stars
1
When you're craving jalapeño poppers and mac & cheese and you want to eat with your hands, these easy cheesy bites--which are baked in a mini muffin tin--are just the ticket. Serve them as part of a family-friendly dinner or put out a platter for a casual party. A crispy breadcrumb topping provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy mac & cheese, while the optional fresh parsley and pickled jalapeño garnishes add a nice color contrast and bright flavor.
By Karen Rankin

Gluten-Free Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese

Rating: 2 stars
1
Make classic macaroni and cheese gluten-free in a jiff! This healthier recipe sneaks in broccoli for a nutritional boost and an easy way to eat more vegetables. Using an electric pressure cooker, such as the InstantPot, gets dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
By Devon O'Brien

Tried-and-True Chili Mac

Two favorite dishes are combined in one meal! Delicious chili and comforting mac and cheese take under 30 minutes to prepare, and then finish off in the slow-cooker.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Kohlrabi

If you like cabbage or broccoli stems, you'll love the flavor kohlrabi gives to this healthy mac and cheese recipe. To make this vegetarian, skip the salami and top with toasted nuts or herbs.
By Julia Clancy

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Red Beets

Red beets give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pink hue. If that's a little too much for you, try using yellow beets instead.
By Julia Clancy

Mile-High Beefy Mac and Cheese

This one-dish meal is a combination of two favorites--hamburgers and macaroni and cheese. Add in some broccoli and carrots and a creamy cheese sauce and you've got a meal the whole family will appreciate.
By Diabetic Living Magazine
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