Skip to main content

Search
Kids Health

Mealtime Makeover: Mac and Cheese

|

Make this dish healthier by using low-fat milk and evaporated skim milk, whole-wheat elbow macaroni, and reduced-fat cheeses.

Prep time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
This Recipe Traditional Recipe
2 c. whole-wheat elbow macaroni 2 c. elbow macaroni
11/2 c. 1% milk 21/2 tbsp. butter
1 c. evaporated skim milk 3 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. cornstarch 21/2 c. milk
13/4 c. low-fat shredded monterey jack cheese 3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
13/4 c. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. salt  
(Optional: 1/2 tsp. mustard powder and dash of cayenne pepper)  
Directions:
  1. In large Dutch oven or stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. In small bowl, take 2 tbsp. of the measured 1% milk and mix with cornstarch until it's dissolved.
  3. Add remaining 1% milk and evaporated skim milk to empty Dutch oven. Mix in the milk and cornstarch and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture bubbles and starts to thicken. Continue cooking and stirring for 1 to 4 minutes until mixture is creamy. Remove from heat and gradually stir in salt, seasonings and cheeses until cheese is melted and uniform.
  4. Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture, stirring to make sure that all noodles are coated.
  5. Transfer macaroni and cheese into a 2-quart casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  6. Bake at 350º Fahrenheit (176º Celsius) for 20 to 30 minutes, until cheese sauce is bubbly.
  7. Let the dish stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Serves : 6

Serving size : 2/3 cup

Nutritional analysis (per serving):
This Recipe Traditional Recipe
314 calories 507 calories
21 g protein 21 g protein
10 g fat 27 g fat
7 g sat. fat 17 g sat. fat
35 g carbohydrate 45 g carbohydrate
3 g fiber 1 g fiber
33 mg cholesterol 83 mg cholesterol
605 mg sodium 668 mg sodium
508 mg calcium 465 mg calcium
1.5 mg iron 1.3 mg iron
5 mcg folic acid 114 mcg folic acid (fortified noodles)

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2008

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.

Should your child see a doctor?

Find out by selecting your child’s symptom or health condition in the list below:

Spring 2013: Good Growing Newsletter

In This Issue

  • You Are a Key Player on Your Child’s Healthcare Team
  • Bad Weather? Bring the Action Indoors!
  • Coping with a Crying Baby

Download Spring 2013 (PDF)

Videos

Stories from the Heart: A Mother’s Day Tribute 2013 0:57:30Expand
4.27.13

Watch heartwarming stories about mothers and patients and learn more about the amazing work done by the doctors and nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Presented by Safeway. Consider making a donation to Seattle Children’s in honor of a woman you know, love or admire at Seattlechildrens.org/mothersday. Aired Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 7 p.m. on KOMO.

Play Video
What Is IBD, Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis? 0:03:53Expand
4.26.13

In this video series, we address questions commonly asked by parents of children with IBD.

Play Video
How to Help Your Child Adjust to School After a Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis 0:06:38Expand
4.26.13

In this video series, we address questions commonly asked by parents of children with IBD.

Play Video