How to Make Low Fat Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Low-fat Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese has been a comfort food and favorite meal for decades. It is also a good way to consume too many calories. That's why this easy-to-make, lower-fat mac-and-cheese recipe is a healthy choice. Cheddar cheese and a bit of onion unite with a creamy sauce that tastes rich but is actually lower in fat than most other options. Packed with flavor, not calories, Low-fat Macaroni and Cheese is quick to assemble, easy on your diet, and sure to be a hit with old and young alike.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups skim milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons grated onion
• 2 to 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Small saucepan
• Large saucepan
• Spoon
• Colander
• Large bowl
• 2-quart casserole dish or 9-by-13 baking dish
• Cover or foil

Instructions

1. Combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 cups cold skim milk in a small saucepan and stir until well mixed. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook ten minutes or until the sauce bubbles and thickens slightly, stirring constantly to avoid scorching. Set this mixture aside for later use.

2. Bring 3 to 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add 2 cups dry macaroni and cook over medium-high heat for 6 to 10 minutes or until the noodles are just cooked. Remove from the heat and drain the water from the noodles.

3. 

   Grated Cheese

   Pour the cooked macaroni noodles into a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons grated onion and 2 to 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Stir these ingredients together until well mixed, and pour into a greased 2-quart casserole dish or 9-by-13 baking pan.

4. Pour the reserved white sauce (from step 1) over the cheese-and-noodle mixture in the baking dish. Stir slightly to combine. Cover the baking dish with a lid or foil, and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly throughout. Remove the foil or lid, and bake 15 more minutes for a nice, browned top.

Tips & Warnings

• Using low-fat cheddar cheese can reduce calories per serving even further.

• Use other types of cheese, such as pepper-jack, for a different flavor.

• Serve Low-fat Macaroni and Cheese with fresh sliced tomatoes for a great combination of taste and color.

• Leftovers can be heated in the microwave, or reheated in an oven until bubbly.

• Use a colander to drain the cooked noodles to avoid painful burns.

• Use of a low-fat cheese may result in a less creamy product.

• Let Low-fat Macaroni and Cheese set for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven, especially if you are serving young children or the elderly, as it holds the heat and can cause burns.

• Overcooking the noodles may result in a soggy end product.

References

• Low Fat Macaroni and Cheese recipe
• A brief History of Mac and Cheese : NPR

Resources

• Adapting Recipes
• Adapting Recipes to a Low Fat Lifestyle