Something about being in the south has reignited my love for mac and cheese.
Creamy, cheesy and delicious.
What’s not to love?
I guess some could argue that the fat/calorie profile of the stuff is not so great. To which I would have to agree.
But that’s where I come in.
My eyes and ears are always peeled for ways to make food a little healthier. Part of our final project in Food Composition was to take one of our favorite recipes and make it healthier for the class to taste (I know right? That was a CLASS for me!) and one of my classmates chose Paula Dean’s The Lady’s Creamy Mac.
You best believe I came home the next day and made this recipe at home. And am now sharing it with all of you.
A-you’re welcome!
The Lady’s Creamy Mac Made Healthier (source)
Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked whole wheat or whole grain elbow macaroni, drained
- 2 cups grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- Egg beaters, equivalent to 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup light sour cream
- 4 tablespoons earth balance, cut into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup skim milk
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.
PS – if you want to kick up the nutrients even more? Add broccoli.
0
What a gorgeous food porn post. 🙂 I love mac and cheese. I’m having Thanksgiving with Heather, so we are making vegan beer and butternut mac. I’m excited – never had it before!
NICE! I’m so jealous!!
This looks great! I don’t eat mac and cheese that often, but this looks delicious!
Even if you only eat this once a year it’s worth it 🙂
Mac and cheese is one of my favorites! Definitely going to pin this!
Yay! 🙂
I’m not a big mac and cheese eater but I bet after one bite of this dish I might quickly become one 😉
P.S. Could you use white cheddar?! I used to go to my BFF’s house and her momma would make us grilled cheese sandwiches using white cheddar and I thought it was worlds better than the yellow stuff my mom used haha!
I think you totally could use white cheddar – now I kinda want to try it that way! And yes, this would totally make you a mac and cheese lover – I promise!
I am learning to cook so I am new to a lot of ingredients, I Love Mac n cheese but want to know What is earth balance…never heard of that before, thanks
Earth Balance is a vegan, lactose and gluten-free butter-like spread. You can read about it here: http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/
You can definitely substitute butter or margarine if you feel better about using that 🙂
Thanks Cait that was very helpful… that will b one of my dishes tomorrow
My pleasure! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
wow that looks amazing. Have you tried it with greek yogurt instead of sour cream? Wonder if it would ruin it.
It’s funny you ask that because I thought about that substitution! I didn’t try it but would definitely consider it in the future just to see what the results would be!
This looks so decadent, I would never guess it’s not loaded with butter and cream! Thanks for the healthy recipe:)
Of course! Enjoy 🙂
I made this tonight! I used a cup of sharp cheddar and a cup of mild. I also used 3 eggs instead of egg beaters, but this turned out SO good. Husband liked it too:) Will make again and again, thanks for sharing!
Oh good I’m so glad to hear it!! 🙂