Healthy Low Fat High Protein Creamy Mac and Cheese

Embarking on a healthy journey doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite comfort foods. You just need to get creative with the ingredients. This Healthy Low Fat High Protein Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe requires one pot and a 30-second butter-and-flour base. No fussy roux, no standing at the stove whisking. This is a healthier mac you’ll make again and again. 

 

Tools I Love for This Recipe

• If you want to bake this in the oven instead, a cast-iron skillet works great. Cast-iron skillets are perfectly safe to use in the oven and under the broiler. This Lodge Cast-iron Skillet is affordable and my favorite.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Fresh Fit Kitchen!

 

 

Healthy Low Fat High Protein Creamy Mac and Cheese Tips

What I love most about this recipe is that you don’t need strange ingredients like cottage cheese or additional tools like a food processor to blend in some kind of secret ingredient. You just need the cooked pasta (I recommend a high-protein pasta. I love Barilla Plus. Use cheese, milk, water and some Greek Yogurt for that perfect creamy sauce. You also only need one pan (unless you like a crispy top and choose to bake it).

The butter-and-flour base in this recipe is minimal because the Greek yogurt provides thickness as well as protein!

Make sure that you under-cook the noodles a bit. They will soak in the cheese sauce and cook more, especially if you choose to bake it! I like a sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use whatever you like!  If you like a milder flavor, use monterey jack.

Just make sure you choose a good melting cheese like gruyere, fontina or gouda and do remember that it will change the calorie and fat content of the recipe.  This is not the place for parmesan cheese as it will not melt like the others will.

 

 

Mac and Cheese Recipe Substitutions

I have not tested this recipe with unsweetened almond milk or any dairy-free milk. There are plenty of vegan mac and cheese recipes out there, if that is what you’re looking for!

I do not recommend gluten free pastas unless you have experience with the brand and know it will hold up to the 12 minute cook time. 

I do not recommend that you try and sub in skim milk for the 2%. You need the creamier milk so your cheese sauce won’t be gritty or have an off texture. Alternatively whole milk will work just fine as its extra fat content would lend well to the sauce. Just keep in mind that you will not have the same nutritional content.  

I do not use traditional elbow macaroni here because I find that cuts that are similar to penne and rotini just work better with this method. 

DO NOT substitute pre-shredded cheese for freshly grated. Pre-shredded cheese has stabilizers that will change the texture of your cheese sauce!

 

Can I bake stove top mac and cheese?

This recipe as-written is the healthier alternative to that blue box we all grew up with. If you want to bake this recipe, it’s very easy. Just get out a baking dish that is safe under a broiler and spray it with cooking spray.  I love using my 10-inch cast iron skillet for this.

Preheat your broiler and pour the mac and cheese into the dish. Top it with panko bread crumbs crackers or simply some extra shredded cheddar and place it under the broiler for 2.5 minutes.

 

Storing Leftovers

Your leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.  I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as anything with dairy doesn’t freeze well. 

 

 

Your Favorite Comfort Food Made Over

​I love making over my favorite comfort foods, but I’ll never change them so much that you need to use your imagination to convince yourself it’s the traditional recipe. Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and this is low calorie mac and cheese in the sense that it’s a fraction of what your traditional recipes would be.  

This recipe is one that your picky eaters are not going to turn their nose up. This is a great way to get everyone on-board with healthier choices.  Notice I said healthier- not perfect!

 

Pin for Later!

 

 

Craving something sweet? My Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites hit the spot.

My Boardwalk Oven Fries turn it into a full diner meal.

My Gluten Free Chinese Lo Mein is another cozy noodle night.

My Vegan Street Taco with Crispy Tofu is a fun meatless night.

You might also love my Crispy Pan Fried Tofu.