Mac and Cheese Light

eleanoreb

I have been craving macaroni and cheese for ages, so when I spotted this recipe for a healthier, lighter version in Fitness magazine, I decided to give it a try. I was intrigued by the fact that it doesn't use butter, milk or cream, and instead uses onion/garlic to build flavour and texture. It does take a little prep time but it's worth it! It is quite addictive and perfect comfort food for this cold weather. I am looking forward to having leftovers for lunch.

Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray (or drop of oil)
Salt
4 ounces whole wheat macaroni ( I used half whole wheat half regular)
1/2 cup onion-garlic puree*
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar ( I only had mozzarella so i used that)
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
* This puree was very intriguing. You \ to put 1 onion with 9 cloves of garlic ( I used just 4, as 9 seemed excessive) in a covered dish in the microwave with 1/2 cup of water for 10 minutes! You then blend it in a blender (magic bullet works great), and it comes out looking like a white, creamy sauce. The leftover puree can be kept in the fridge in a container for a few days.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Mist an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions, drain.
Meanwhile, bring onion-garlic puree, mustard, and cayenne to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Whisk in cheddar until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in yogurt.
In a medium bowl, toss the macaroni with the cheese sauce. Season with salt to taste. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle panko over the top. Top with Parmesan.
Bake until Parmesan is melted and macaroni is hot throughout, about 10 minutes.

berv0009

That looks/sounds delicious!

bhappy_5

Love mac and cheese!!! Looks amazing!!!

jayanne0907

Sounds wonderful.... Going to try this weekend. Thanks

mizsparky

calories?

LoreleiWalks

Thank you for sharing! That looks amaaazzzzzinnnggggg!

eleanoreb

calories?

Sorry, I forgot to include the nutritional info. here it is:

Nutrition facts per serving ( 1/4 of the recipe, about 2/3 cup): 237 calories, 17g protein, 31g carbohydrate, 7g fat, 3g fiber

Foxworth81

Oooooohhh...BUMP

dargytaylor

that looks and sounds awesome!

i bet the onion / garlic puree would be awesome in mashed potato and or cauliflower!!

bgc85

Looks and SOUNDS fabulous! Thanks!

MostlyWater

That's a lot of cheese, though. I made a box of noodles on Sunday, a lb., and only used an 8 oz block of cheese.

SHDenver

bump

eleanoreb

that looks and sounds awesome!

i bet the onion / garlic puree would be awesome in mashed potato and or cauliflower!!

ooh, good idea!! I might try that with the leftovers

You can always adapt it if you dont want that much cheese.

txjulie

This sounds great & do-able! Thanks!

piercedbeauty21

Mmm, that sounds amazing right now!

colochel

annnnnnnnnnnd bump. Thanks!

surgesilk

8oz (shredded) would be way more than 1 1/4 cups of cheese.

That's a lot of cheese, though. I made a box of noodles on Sunday, a lb., and only used an 8 oz block of cheese.

shanna0413

bump

tmarie2715

Ahhhhh! Thank you for this. I usually make Alton Brown's baked mac & cheese, and this looks like a great way to get that yummy, baked, crumbly goodness for a lot less cals.

lstnlondry

annnnnnnnnnnd bump. Thanks!

clarebrad

yum , will try in the weekend. Like the sounds of the Onion Garlic Puree think could use that is alot of things to really boost the flavor.

nataliespiczka

Great idea! Or in Mashed Cauliflower too!

TKKlima

How many calories?

I have been craving macaroni and cheese for ages, so when I spotted this recipe for a healthier, lighter version in Fitness magazine, I decided to give it a try. I was intrigued by the fact that it doesn't use butter, milk or cream, and instead uses onion/garlic to build flavour and texture. It does take a little prep time but it's worth it! It is quite addictive and perfect comfort food for this cold weather. I am looking forward to having leftovers for lunch.

Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray (or drop of oil)
Salt
4 ounces whole wheat macaroni ( I used half whole wheat half regular)
1/2 cup onion-garlic puree*
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar ( I only had mozzarella so i used that)
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
* This puree was very intriguing. You \ to put 1 onion with 9 cloves of garlic ( I used just 4, as 9 seemed excessive) in a covered dish in the microwave with 1/2 cup of water for 10 minutes! You then blend it in a blender (magic bullet works great), and it comes out looking like a white, creamy sauce. The leftover puree can be kept in the fridge in a container for a few days.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Mist an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions, drain.
Meanwhile, bring onion-garlic puree, mustard, and cayenne to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Whisk in cheddar until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in yogurt.
In a medium bowl, toss the macaroni with the cheese sauce. Season with salt to taste. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle panko over the top. Top with Parmesan.
Bake until Parmesan is melted and macaroni is hot throughout, about 10 minutes.

TKKlima

What does it mean when people say BUMP?

Nic620

Bump!

LovingCruz

looks good

Court222010

bump!

kaetmarie

bump ... making this sauce to put over GF pasta, everyone be jealous :laugh:

mrnls

bump and thank you

JayPeazy

What does it mean when people say BUMP?

I've asked this a couple of times and nobody has ever replied. Since then I think I have it figured out. People post that when they like a thread so that they can "bump" it up to the top of the boards so more people can see it. At least, that's what I think.

jeannicoleau

bump