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Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This healthy mac and cheese recipe is a lighter version of the classic recipe with added fiber from spinach. It's comfort food at its finest!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni (wheat, whole wheat, high protein or gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 0.25 cup flour (or gluten-free flour mix)
  • 0.25 cup minced onion
  • 2 cups skim milk (use rice milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese (for best results shred yourself. Use Violife for dairy-free)
  • kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
  • olive oil spray for spraying baking dish

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Spray a baking dish with oil.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  3. In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat stirring with a whisk.
  4. Add onion and cook another 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheese 0.25 cup at a time and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and baby spinach.
  6. Pour into baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more oil on top.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

Notes

This lighter baked macaroni and cheese is a comforting and kid-friendly meal, packed with fiber from spinach. Perfect for a healthy family dinner.