Healthy Mac and Cheese
This creamy baked mac and cheese recipe is a lightened-up version of a classic dinner favorite. Loved by both parents and kiddos alike this easy macaroni and cheese recipe is both health and comfort in a bowl.
- Author: Davida Lederle
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- non-stick spray or olive oil
- 12 oz elbow pasta
- 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
- 1 x 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- pinch of paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Spray or rub a baking dish with non-stick spray or olive oil.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. In last 2 minutes of cooking add in broccoli florets to quickly cook. Strain and set aside.
- To a blender combine cannellini beans and vegetable broth.
- Using the same pot you cooked your pasta in add your butter to melt over low-medium heat. Pour in your cannellini bean mixture and stir in whole milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in your shredded cheese until just melted. Turn off heat.
- Stir your pasta and broccoli into cheese sauce.
- Pour mac and cheese into your baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Bake uncovered in your oven for 10-15 minutes or until mac and cheese is golden brown on top.
Keywords: healthy mac and cheese, healthy macaroni and cheese