Heart-Healthy Homemade Mac and Cheese

Indulge guilt-free with this Heart-Healthy Homemade Mac and Cheese, a lighter twist on the comforting classic. Featuring whole grain elbow macaroni and a velvety sauce made from steamed cauliflower puree and unsweetened almond milk, this recipe delivers creamy satisfaction without the heavy fats. Reduced-fat cheddar and a touch of Parmesan add rich, cheesy flavor, while Dijon mustard and a pinch of paprika elevate the dish with a subtle kick. Perfectly seasoned with garlic and onion powders, this wholesome mac and cheese is packed with fiber, lower in saturated fat, and ready in just 35 minutes. Ideal for busy weeknights or as a nutritious side dish, it's a delicious way to satisfy your cravings while supporting heart health.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole grain elbow macaroni
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Cook the whole grain elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, steam the cauliflower florets in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water for about 5-7 minutes, until very tender.

Step 3

In a blender, combine the steamed cauliflower florets and unsweetened almond milk. Blend until smooth to create a creamy sauce base.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Whisk in the whole wheat flour, stirring continuously for about 1 minute to make a roux.

Step 5

Gradually add the cauliflower-milk mixture to the roux, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese to the saucepan. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 7

Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika, mixing well to combine.

Step 8

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 9

Serve the mac and cheese immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of additional paprika or a little extra shredded cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1008.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1639.8

Total Fat 71.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 80mg	0%
Sodium 2683.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.4g	0%
Total Sugars 6.3g
Protein 71.9g	0%

Vitamin D 199.7IU	0%
Calcium 1985.0mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 1283.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.0%

Protein: 16.9%

Carbs: 45.1%