mac and cheese fiend...

badr0mance

i LOVE macaroni and cheese, but know it is SUPER unhealthy! any healthier ideas/recipes?

econut2000

I'm a super fiend too! I used to literally eat it EVERY day when I was younger and even recently up to 3x per week. However, I just know now that I can't eat it that often and if I'm going to eat it, I'm going to enjoy it (like I did today!) and I eat the full fat version. This was the first time in over a month that I had it. I know that's not what you're looking for but I thought I'd put in my two cents worth! Hope you can find a good recipe :-)

TDGee

You might want to give this a try.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/360696-if-you-re-a-fan-of-crockpot-cheeseburgers

ETA the link.

takehimaway

You might want to give this a try.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/360696-if-you-re-a-fan-of-crockpot-cheeseburgers

ETA the link.

I'm allegic to tomatoes, and I don't eat meat.

mfreeby

I've made something with zuchinni - I cut it into pieces about 1/2 inch thick (you can even use a mandolin to make it like noodles), put in a pan with some margarine, oil spray, or butter, then add some low/non fat cream cheese, a little shredded cheese (I like extra old white cheddar) and maybe even some parmesan. It's a great alternative if you are watching carbs and the cheese is the only real calories in it so the count stays low! It's really good!

SammyKatt

I use Dreamfields pasta, which is a low carb pasta. Then I use Velveeta and some milk. Season with some salt and pepper and I'm a happy camper!

rockerbabyy

cookinglight has a mac and cheese made with butternut squash - its soooo good!
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-light-macaroni-cheese-50400000115195/

lor007

Vegetables and cheese are great, but they are not mac and cheese. Come on, people!!



OP: If you truly love mac and cheese, just eat it in moderation and plan it into your day. It is totally worth it.

kirstyg1980

why not just cut portion size and still eat the real deal???

a typical portion of pasta should be 75g

econut2000

cookinglight has a mac and cheese made with butternut squash - its soooo good!
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-light-macaroni-cheese-50400000115195/

I do love butternut squash and have one sitting on my counter now :-) It does look delicious - thanks for sharing!

swimmchick87

why not just cut portion size and still eat the real deal???

a typical portion of pasta should be 75g

Exactly what I was going to say! I have mac n cheese planned on Wednesday. I'm eating that as my main dinner course with salad and fruit. It fits very well into my calories and macros- in fact I had to add an extra afternoon snack to make sure I was getting enough calories for the day!

BritFitB

CleanEating.com has a great one! I love mac and cheese too, and usually go to selected fitness magazine sites and search it.

adjones5

I lobster mac and cheese. It is worth working out for the extra 15 minutes!

PetitePerfection

oh my god..I used to LOVE mac n cheese!!!!! It was like a daily staple for me! But since eating clean, I never even think to have it. The craving just went away thankfully, or else I'd be like 800 lbs by now!:laugh:

hazelnut861

I make homemade mac and cheese from scratch and you can sub ingredients to make it lower calorie. Even if you don't it's still better for you, tastes better and more filling.

NomNomCupcakes

Don't know any healthier recipes but not gonna lie, had a cup of Kraft Original for dinner
CURSE YOU CHEESY GOODNESS!

sarahbetherck

I bake Mac&cheese in individual ramekins so the portion control is already done for me. Makes it easier for my hubs to take leftovers to work for lunch too!

Elixandra

If you like the boxed stuff have you tried annies organic mac and cheese? Less cals and you can have a bit more then the other brands.

Thena81

it depends on how its prepared, im sure there are recipes out there that are healthy. do a lil research on good ole Google lol

bademasi

Mac and Cheese Suprise

2 cups cauliflower florets
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 tBs each butter and flour
1 tsp each chopped garlic and dry mustard
1 cup fat free milk
8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked
1/3 cup each shredded low-fat sharp cheddar and swiss cheese

1 heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan of boiling salted water cook veggies 5 min or until tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid. In food processor puree vegetables adding 3 tBs liquid.

2 In saucepot over med heat, melt butter; wisk in flour, garlic and mustard. Let simmer 1 min. Add milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 2 min., whisking.

3 Stir in veggie puree, macaroni, cheese, and cooking liquid if needed; spoon into greased casserole dish. Bake 20 min or until heated.

Prep time 15 min. Total time 40 min. Serves 6
Per serving calories 125, Pro. 8g, Carb. 15 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, Chol, 13 mg, Sod. 108 mg, Total Fat 4 g, Sat 3 g, Trans. 0g

kirstyg1980

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/edit/4715430

kiahpyr

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/05/lighter-baked-macaroni-and-cheese.html

whtlatina1214

i LOVE macaroni and cheese, but know it is SUPER unhealthy! any healthier ideas/recipes?

i do too and i found the green giant mac and cheese with broccolli really yummy i cnt member the calories but i believe in between 150-250 ish

neversettle

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/05/lighter-baked-macaroni-and-cheese.html

This.
I've made it, its incredible!

stefchica

i will use lowat cheeses, milk, or swap it out for vegan cheese. i will put in pato sauce for extra flavor instead of more cheese. you can mix in veggies like brocolli, zucchini, califlower, zucchini flowers, etc.... so you dont eat so much pasta . definitely use whole wheat pastas.

2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup soy milk/low fat milk/ rice milk/ almond milk unsweetened
1 - 2 cups low fat shredded cheese/vegan cheese
1 box whole wheat pasta
1 cup brocolli florettes
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ground mustard


heat oil and whisk in flour until flour is cooked for about a minute, whisk in milk. stir in cheese, spices and broccolli. mix in cooked pasta and eat!!

its pretty easy...you can bake it...but i like mine stove top. usually to that i will a add in lots of cayenne, maybe some beer for added flavor, you can use light beer, or a can of pato sauce.

krista010105

to make me feel a little better i eat the kraft mac n cheese but switched to the whole wheat one. it tastes just as good. ( i dont know how to cook home made)

LoreleiWalks

I will be the first to admit - I LOVE Velveeta Shells and Cheese. Normally I stay away from processed stuff as much as possible, but I will always have a place in my heart for this creamy, dreamy concoction. My trick is to add things to the dish to make it more nutritious. Stirring in extra ingredients can also stretch one box to make more servings, thus decreasing the calories/sodium/fat of the mac & cheese itself.

Mix-in Ideas:

tuna and peas
chili (homemade or low-sodium canned)
broccoli and cubed chicken breast (or turkey)
lean ground turkey (or beef) and diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning
lean ground turkey (or beef), beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder

krista010105

I have added broccoli to my wheat mac n cheese

wannabahotmom

I make homemade mac and cheese from scratch and you can sub ingredients to make it lower calorie. Even if you don't it's still better for you, tastes better and more filling.

I do the same. I make it with whole grain pasta and skim milk. I've tried using the low fat/fat free cheeses but it just doesn't do it for me. I agree with others though, eat it and just watch your portions I also stir in other ingredients, usually broccoli and grilled chicken breast but the tuna and peas idea sounds great as well as the lean ground turkey ideas! I'll be trying those

whtlatina1214

I will be the first to admit - I LOVE Velveeta Shells and Cheese. Normally I stay away from processed stuff as much as possible, but I will always have a place in my heart for this creamy, dreamy concoction. My trick is to add things to the dish to make it more nutritious. Stirring in extra ingredients can also stretch one box to make more servings, thus decreasing the calories/sodium/fat of the mac & cheese itself.

Mix-in Ideas:

tuna and peas
chili (homemade or low-sodium canned)
broccoli and cubed chicken breast (or turkey)
lean ground turkey (or beef) and diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning
lean ground turkey (or beef), beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder

yes me to and yesterday i tried their new kits like the one i tried yesterday it was chicken alfredo hmmm hmm good

lizzyliz79

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/05/lighter-baked-macaroni-and-cheese.html

I make this almost once a week! It can't be beaten!