Is Kraft Mac And Cheese Healthy
While Id never imagine the classic blue Kraft box would be among the healthiest boxed mac and cheese out there, I couldnt possibly deny loving the flavor of Kraft. Its the most instantly recognizable of mac and cheese tastes.
You have to go into this with open eyes, though: Kraft Mac and Cheese contains the greatest amount of sodium among all the brands reviewed, says Dillon. For this reason, there is likely a more nutritionally balanced option available to choose. However, that doesnt make it completely off-limits: just watch your portion control and serve with a big side of broccoli, and its a fine treat.
Read next: Craving Childhood Comfort Foods? Here Are the Healthier Versions to Try Today
That said, one delicious alternative is Kraft Mac and Cheese Cauliflower Pasta. This variety incorporates cauliflower-based pasta, which no, is not as good for you as actual cauliflower, but does provide ¼ cup of veggies per serving. And heres the delightfully shocking part: it tastes just like the original stuff, but is better for you! Thats the kind of healthy life choice I can get behind.
Healthy Boxed Mac And Cheese Making Dinners Easier
When youre going the easy route, there are no hour-long dinner time arguments. For the most part, its a crowd pleaser.
Healthy Boxed mac and cheese is the ideal option for those nights when you need a break. Those are the nights when you just need something quick, easy, and argument free for dinner.
But the truth is, as youre prepping your blue box dinner, you might still feel a little guilt. Because you know the truth its not necessarily the best option.
And, disclaimer: There is NOTHING wrong with Kraft mac and cheese. At ALL. But I get it. I have that same little annoying person in my brain that guilts me for dumb things like a stupid box of mac and cheese.
One Important Factor To Consider Is The Sodium
Did you know between 95% of children ages 2-13 exceed the recommended sodium limits? said Meghan Dillon, RD. Packaged goods are a huge contributor to this issue. I would compare sodium to rule out which boxes or frozen packages of mac and cheese to avoid purchasing, she says. And Id aim to choose a product with a sodium content of 675 mg per serving or less.
Recommended Reading: How Much Are Cheese Sticks At Sonic
Can I Refrigerate Before Baking
Yes, you can refrigerate macaroni and cheese before you bake it. This make-ahead mac and cheese is a great option for meal prep. Do all the cooking whenever you have the time and bake it right before youre ready to eat.
To refrigerate before baking, you will complete all the steps up to putting the mixture in the pan. Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for up to two days. When youre ready to bake it, pull the mac out of the fridge while the oven is preheating and top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
You will need to bake the macaroni and cheese casserole a little longer since itll be cold. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until heated through.
How Do You Make Healthy Mac N Cheese
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package directions for al dente.
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter and onion, and cook until the onions are translucent, 4-6 minutes.
Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high and whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Stir frequently until the sauce starts to thicken, 10-12 minutes.
Stir in the cheese, salt, and black pepper.
Add the cheese sauce to the drained macaroni, and stir to evenly coat.
Recommended Reading: Who Sells Lobster Mac And Cheese
Packing Mac N Cheese In A Lunchbox
My kids are PUMPED when I send mac n cheese along in their lunch bag. I have 3 of these 10-ounce thermoses and love them!
TIP!
Add boiling water into the thermos for a few minutes before you add the heated mac n cheese. Once youre ready to add it in, simply pour out the hot water and add the food. This will help keep the food warmer for longer!
Heres What Youll Find In This Article:
- Homemade Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Healthy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
- What to Serve with Homemade Mac and Cheese
This easy Mac and cheese baked recipe article includes a shopping list to make your grocery shopping even easier! I recommend taking a screen shot on your phone.
Up next The shopping list for this recipe macaroni and cheese baked dish!
Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Smoked Mozzarella Cheese
Is Amys Mac And Cheese Healthy
I was the most excited about this one because initially I assumed itd be the closest to traditional homemade, baked mac and cheese. And it was delicious: the cheese sauce had an excellent sharpness, and the noodles were not overcooked. It was also extremely easy to throw in the oven and heat up but it turns out that the Amys Frozen Mac and Cheese is so tasty partially because its not especially healthy. This contains the most calories, fat, and saturated fat of all brands reviewed, Dillon says. Despite this, the product provides the most protein, at 18 g per serving. Figures. So if youre looking for a high-protein meal, and fat and calories arent an issue for you, this is a great option and it is delicious.
Tips For Best Results
- Have all the ingredients prepped: Since this one-pot mac and cheese can come together in just 15 minutes, its a good idea to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before starting so you dont slow the process down!
- To adjust the cheese sauce consistency: If you notice that the noodles are almost cooked but theres still a lot of liquid, I recommend increasing the heat. Likewise, it the liquid seems to be running out add an extra ¼ cup of broth.
- Use whole wheat pasta when possible: Unlike processed/refined white pasta , whole wheat pasta is packed with nutrients including complex carbs, added protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals.
- Adjust the time for glutenfree: Gluten-free pasta usually only takes a few minutes to cook, so adjust the time accordingly.
Also Check: What To Dip In Cheese Fondue
How To Make Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Heres the quick rundown for how to make Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese:
TIP: I love making this recipe in my Caraway Pan! Heres a review of my favorite non-toxic non-stick pans for everyday cooking.
Healthy Mac And Cheese: Recipe Overview
If you have been on the hunt for a healthier macaroni and cheese recipe, I have the perfect one for you! Not only does this mac have the same great cheesy taste as traditional macaroni, but it also has less calories and fat, plus it sneaks in a full serving of vegetables!
Tender elbow macaroni is smothered and covered in an ultra creamy, super smooth, ridiculously cheesy sauce. Its the ultimate comfort food that you can actually feel good about eating! No weird ingredients, preservatives, processed cheese or powdered cheese here!! Just cozy, comforting, mac n cheese with a healthy dose of vegetables, nutrients and flavor!
Heres the secret this mac n cheese is made healthy and extra creamy, without the added fat of a traditional cheese sauce, thanks to a super simple, creamy-dreamy butternut squash puree. In case you are thinking squash in my cheese sauce??!, you are just going to have to try it to believe it! But, get prepared to be blown away, because this sauce is so downright delicious I have a naughty habit of eating it straight from the saucepan with a giant serving-sized spoon!
Rich, decadent and nutritious, this mac n cheese will have you dancing around the kitchen singing all that jazz. Its just that good.
Recommended Reading: Can You Bring Food To Chuck E Cheese
Ingredients Needed For Healthy Mac N Cheese:
Whole milk: you can really use whatever milk you have on hand, including nut milk. If you do use nut milk, make sure to use unsweetened and unflavored nut milk. The lower-fat the milk, the less decadent and creamy this mac and cheese will be.
Bean-based pasta: I love using bean-based pasta in this recipe . But you can also use lentil-based, whole-wheat or regular macaroni or mini shells. The benefit of using bean-based pasta is that its lower in carbs, higher in protein and higher in fiber.
Fontina cheese: fontina is a super meltable and flavorful cheese.
Dijon: enhances the cheesy flavor.
Cayenne: just a pinch to balance the flavors and a slight kick!
Aged Gouda: I love the flavor of aged Gouda here, but you can also use regular Gouda or smoked Gouda cheese. Whatever you do, do NOT use pre-shredded cheeseits coated with an anti-caking agent which makes for a grainy cheese sauce.
Why We Love Healthy Baked Mac And Cheese
There is a lot to love about this healthy mac n cheese recipe. Its one of our favorite sides for a healthy dinner because its:
- Easy to make This healthy mac and cheese only takes 30 minutes to make. Make the cheese sauce, toss with pasta, top with bread crumbs mixture and bake!
- High Protein Side You are going to get 19 g of protein per serving with this healthy mac and cheese!
- Healthier Than Boxed Mac n Cheese Most boxed mac and cheese is loaded with preservatives and fake cheese.
Don’t Miss: Can Dogs Eat Cheese Sticks
Tip For The Best Mac & Cheese Ever
Want to know the secret to the best healthy macaroni and cheese? Grate your own cheese! I know its tempting to buy the pre-grated/shredded cheese but they dont melt as well as freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is tossed with preservatives to make it last longer and prevents it from melting well.
Grating your own cheese only take a few extra minutes and will give you the CHEESIEST mac and cheese!
Ingredients In Protein Mac And Cheese
- Barilla Chickpea Rotini I love using Barillas line of legume pastas because theyre made with one simple ingredient, packed with plant-based protein and have an excellent source of fiber. And as an added bonus, all of the Barilla legume pastas are certified gluten-free and non-GMO Project Verified.
- broccoli and spinach because you cant have healthy mac and cheese without some veggies.
- butter I preferorganic butter, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
- milk I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can use regular milk as well.
- Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedge for this you need just one cheese wedge. You can find them at almost every grocery store in the cheese section. If needed, you can leave this out or sub it for cream cheese .
- reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese I used organic Irish cheddar cheese and shredded it myself, but you can use whatever you prefer including reduced fat cheddar cheese.
- sea salt and pepper for a little seasoning.
You May Like: Is Annie’s Vegan Mac And Cheese Dairy Free
Whole Grains Are Another Crucial Component
Determining whether the product contains whole grains can be tricky. Just because an ingredient list states multigrain, wheat, or stoneground it does not mean the product is a whole grain, said Dillion. Instead, look for terms with the word whole, like in whole grain, or whole wheat, as this correctly identifies if the product is whole grain. Whole grains provide more nutrients and fiber than their non-whole grain counterparts. Fiber is important because it helps keep us full and regulates digestion, said Dillon.
So given the task of eating a whole bunch of mac and cheese and finding options that were both healthy and also tasty, here are the four that came out on top:
Homemade Mac And Cheese
The ultimate kid-favorite dinner doesnt have to come from a box! Make this easy, creamy homemade mac and cheese on your stove top using just simple, nutritious ingredients.
Youre never too old to love macaroni and cheese. True, it may have been a long time ago that those chewy noodles in yellow creamy sauce first captured your heart but this this is a love that lasts a lifetime. And now you can share all those good feels with your kids with this delicious, gooey, homemade mac and cheese recipe.
The big not-so-well-kept secret of homemade stove top mac and cheese is that you can make it SO EASILY, and in exactly the same amount of time that it takes to whip up the boxed stuff.
So if you thought homemade mac and cheese was super involved, or if the idea of making a roux has you running back to boxed mac and cheese, stick with us here. Youll be glad you did. Because once you have a solid homemade mac and cheese recipe in your back pocket, youll always have a crowd-pleasing dinner idea for all ages.
You May Like: Can You Eat Cheese On A Low Carb Diet
What Vegetables Can I Add To Mac N Cheese
This recipe already has a full pound of butternut squash. However, you can definitely bulk this recipe up and add more vegetables if desired! To add vegetables, stir them right into the sauce at the same time you add the pasta.
- Broccoli or Cauliflower: Steam, blanch or roast the vegetables and then finely chop them before stirring them into the sauce.
- Spinach or Arugula: Add a couple handfuls of baby spinach or fresh arugula right into the sauce and stir until its slightly wilted.
- Frozen Peas or Edamame Beans: Rinse the peas or beans under how water to thaw and drain before adding.
- Cooked Corn: Steam, roast or grill corn on the cob and remove the kernels from the cob. Stir the corn into the sauce. Alternatively, you can blanch or steam frozen corn kernels.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Drain and finely chop a roasted bell pepper or two!
- Tomatoes: Drain a can of diced tomatoes or use a can of
- Caramelized Onions: Give your macaroni an adult upgrade and stir in rich caramelized onions!
- Mushrooms: Sauté or roast fresh mushrooms and then slice or finely chop them before adding them to the sauce.
Pro-tip: Keep in mind, if you plan on adding a lot of vegetables, you will also need to increase the amount of sauce!
How To Make Our Healthy Mac And Cheese :
Ive been making variations of this recipe for the last few years, but always with extra stuff in it, because, you know, the whole food blog thing.
Or White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Squash and Toasted Walnuts.
At the moment, Im getting sort of annoyed of my toasted-walnuts-in mac-and-cheese ways, so Im giving it to you straight up, in all its plain creamy wonderfulness: Healthy Mac and Cheese. No need to fancify. Especially if youre sick. Which, if you are, please just come over and well eat this and watch the Cesar Milan being the amazing Dog Whisperer and feel glad that just have colds and not red zone dogs. Truth: Netflix and a cold and me left alone for too long can bring out some weird times.
This healthy mac and cheese is perfect for times when you dont want anything really far outside of the box. Like, literally, nothing too far from the powdered cheese noodle dinner that comes in a blue box. Just maybe a little healthier and homemade. And more vegetables and less butter. Bonus.
If thats you , then this is your stuff.
So if I were to have a bottom line here, it would be this > make the sauce, cook some noodles, shred some cheese, and be a happy mac and cheese eating person who still fits into a swimsuit. Because summer is coming. I can feel the sun on my face right now. Ready? Here it comes. One two three now. Three two one summer. Ready set go. Sun. Come. Bam. Snap. Poof.
Just Ill work on that.
Read Also: How To Make Mozzarella Cheese At Home
Why Homemade Mac And Cheese Is Healthy
Homemade mac and cheese is healthy because you make it healthy! And the key to a healthy mac and cheese is to use simple, whole-food ingredients.
Here are the ingredients we trust for making nourishing mac and cheese we feel good about serving our kids:
- Whole wheat noodles. Whole wheat pasta is more accessible now than ever, and kids tend to accept this high-fiber swap in place of regular white flour noodles. Dellalo makes an excellent whole wheat macaroni noodle you can buy at Walmart.
- Real cheese. Even some homemade mac and cheese recipes call for highly-processed cheese-type foods We prefer to stick with minimally-processed, whole milk cheeses. Shred your own for a creamier sauce.
- Whole wheat flour. Flour thickens the creamy cheese sauce in this dish, and white whole wheat flour works perfectly.
- Nutritious add-ins. Adding tiny, tender vegetables to homemade mac and cheese brings the nutrition in this dinner to the next level. Well talk about some of our favorite add-ins further along in this post.
Heres another mac and cheese nutrition tip: think of this recipe as a main course, not a side dish. Mac and cheese provides plenty of complex carbs and protein for kids , so you can focus on fresh produce sides instead. Serve roasted or steamed veggies, or simple green salad, or cut fruit for balance.
