Join us on Facebook for our latest recipes and projects. My little boy loves macaroni and cheese.
I decided to make a healthier version at home and we all thought it was way better than any box of mac n’ cheese.
The broccoli tastes absolutely amazing in this. Want to know why? Because you can’t even taste it. That is the best way, in my opinion to eat broccoli.
The less veggies you taste, the more delicious it is. This is still a hearty dish, but definitely a lot healthier version of it. It’s so easy to whip up, and kids and adults alike, love it.
- The melted Parmesan and golden bread crumbs on top were so good. You could also used crushed up crackers (I prefer buttery crackers, like a Ritz or Club cracker).
- You could also use whole wheat bread crumbs, as a healthier alternative as well. I have only made this using Italian bread crumbs.
- You could also go without bread crumbs as well. I like the crispiness and the texture it gives the mac and cheese, but again, it is totally optional.
sneak in more veggies:
The thing i love about this recipe, is how easy it is to add more veggies to it, and sneak them in. I recommend the broccoli, but if you are looking to add more greens to the mix, here are a few vegetables that would be delicious, that I highly recommend:
- carrots
- zucchini squash
- yellow squash
- cucumbers
- celery
- spinach
- tomatoes
- corn
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- asparagus
Really any veggie would work great with this recipe. If you chop it up small enough, nobody will ever know what it is, and it will all be smothered in cheese, that they won’t even care.
watch how to make another easy dinner favorite, here:
Did you know we have a Youtube Channel? We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.
These Easy Chicken Salad Sandwiches make the perfect lunch, dinner or snack. They are so quick to throw together and taste amazing. Watch how simple they are to make, here:
looking for more pasta recipes? here are a few of our favorite:
Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces high fiber elbows like Ronzoni Smart Taste
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon lite butter
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 2 cups skim milk
- 1 cup fat free chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets
- ⅛ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Cook pasta and broccoli together in a large pot of salted water, according to package directions for al dente (or slightly under cook 2 minutes). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375°.
- In a large, heavy skillet, melt butters. Add onion and cook over low heat about 2 minutes, add flour and cook another minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined. Add milk and chicken broth and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook about 5 minutes or until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the sauce is thick, remove from heat, add cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and broccoli and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.(Recipe from skinnytaste.com)
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Thanks for sharing this recipe. My 5 year old girl loves broccoli and loves mac and cheese– but only separately. This may get her used to eating things together. 😉
Hi girls! I am new to your blog and love it! I am actually one of six girls, too, so I know how much fun it is!! Can’t wait to keep reading!
Yummy!! That looks really delicious. I will be adding this one to my recipe book.
Thank you
Coming over from TT&J… This sounded and looked interesting and not to mention just plain old GOOD!!! I think I have book marked 6 recipes already.. 🙂 I just became your newest Follower and would LOVE for you to share this here http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/01/sew-crafty-tuesday-linky-4-and-giveaway/
Made this for dinner tonight and it was AWESOME! I haven’t been able to find a good mac and cheese recipe until now! Thanks so much.
I have been wanting to try this one! I have the recipe pinned and seeing a bigger picture of it makes my mouth water. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese???
http://www.creatingyourhome.blogspot.com
What a GREAT recipe! Would you come over to Cast Party Wednesday and share it with us?
Thanks,
I hope to see you there!
Sheryl
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=21694
Yummy, I made this the other day and the entire family loved it!!
Yum. I love adding veggies into my dishes whenever possible. I guess I’m still a kid and like being secretively forced to eat them sometimes 🙂 and now I can eat my veggies AND my mac and cheese guilt-free. Thank you!
This looks delicious! I have featured your recipe here: http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/2012/01/few-of-my-favorite-things.html
Can you tell me how many calories are in a serving?
@Miss Gibson,
Here is the nutritional information:
Servings: 8 ? Serving Size: 1 cup ? Old Points: 6 pts ? Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 314.9 ? Fat: 9.8 g ? Protein: 17.7 g ? Carb: 44.3 g ? Fiber: 6.3 g ? Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 215.7
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Delicious!! It’s just my husband and me, so I froze the remaining 6 servings in 3 containers for quick meals. It was still great after pulling out of the freezer and reheating!!
This was soooooooooooo good!! Thank you so much for recipe!
I featured this on my Fab Friday Finds and cant wait to try it!
http://littlemommybigappetite.blogspot.com/2012/03/fab-friday-finds-6-pasta.html
http://pinterest.com/pin/124974958380013387/, I pinned this recipe as i find it very delicious and an interesting twist to macaroni cheese (that over here in SLovakia, we know only from movies :)).
Can you substitute sharp cheddar for medium/mild cheddar?
You bet! I’ve made it both ways!
Thanks for your question!
The six sisters
This sounds soo good and it healthy!?!? That’s just too crazy! I’m definitely pinning and trying for later:)
This looks delicious!!! I’d like to premake this and cook it the day after. What cooking instruction would you suggest for making in advance and then reheating for later? Thank you!
Have you had problems with the sauce/cheese separating? It appears curdled…
Hi Bryn,
We didn’t have any problems with that. Thanks!
Hi!
I have never tried that, so I would just make it as directed and keep it in the fridge and take out when you are ready to bake, following the instructions in the recipe. Hope you like it!
I love all your recipes, it would be helpful however if you could list the Calorie, Carb, protein etc. amounts for the recipes. Thanks 🙂
Mmm .. hoping my Pasta Lover child will go for this yummy-looking recipe. I’ve got frozen broc florets in the freezer … think I need to do anything different if I use those? Not sure if they’ll make things more liquid-y. TIA!
Should work fine with broccoli added.