Low-fat macaroni and cheese can be made by using whole-grain or whole-wheat pasta, low-fat cheese, and little to no butter. Skim milk can be substituted for whole milk, and healthy flavorings like caramelized onions or chili powder can be added. Whole wheat pasta is more nutritious than white pasta and low-fat cheese options include cottage cheese, Parmesan, and low-fat cheddar. Additional flavorings include shallots, chili powder, and breadcrumbs.
The best tips for making low-fat macaroni and cheese include using whole-grain or whole-wheat pasta, adding low-fat cheese, and mixing in little to no butter or margarine. Skim milk can also be substituted for whole milk in these types of low-fat dishes. Many recipes for low-fat macaroni and cheese include other healthy flavoring ingredients, such as caramelized onions, Dijon mustard, or chili powder. While some people may think that eating low-fat diets means sacrificing taste, this favorite pasta dish can be just as satisfying when cooked with good quality low-fat produce.
Macaroni and cheese is often made with white pasta that contains high amounts of starch and empty calories. Substituting whole wheat elbow, penne or rotini pasta will easily boost the nutritional value of lean macaroni and cheese. In addition to less starch and fat, wheat pasta also has more fiber and healthy protein. Once some cooks try macaroni and cheese with whole-wheat pasta, they find that they prefer it over white pasta dishes.
Cooks looking to create a low-fat dish have several cheese options. Regular macaroni and cheeses are sometimes made with processed dairy products that contain high concentrations of unhealthy saturated fats, as well as artificial preservatives. Healthier low-fat cheeses for this type of dish include cottage cheese, Parmesan, cottage cheese, and small amounts of low-fat cheddar cheese. Some cooks also like to add skim-milk mozzarella, though too much of this melted cheese can cause macaroni to stick together.
Some recipes for low-fat macaroni and cheese call for the butter normally used to be discarded to prevent the cooked pasta from sticking together. Since whole-wheat pasta doesn’t contain the starch that causes this problem, it doesn’t normally need the added butter. Many low-fat macaroni and cheese recipes instruct the cook to pour the prepared cheese sauce over the freshly cooked wheat pasta. The cheese blend is often made from skim milk, all-purpose flour, and select low-fat cheeses that are heated and mixed together over medium heat in a saucepan on the stove.
Additional flavorings for lean macaroni and cheese include cooked shallots or red onions. Cooks who like hotter, lower-fat choices often mix in measured amounts of red chili powder, hot sauce, or black pepper. Flavored bread crumbs are also popular toppings for this type of macaroni and cheese recipe.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
