Lightened Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Indulge in the comforting nostalgia of macaroni and cheese without the guilt with this Lightened Fannie Farmer’s Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a creamy, velvety sauce made from low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, skim milk, and a hint of Dijon mustard, this lighter twist on the timeless classic delivers all the flavor with fewer calories. Topped with golden, crispy whole wheat breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch, this baked dish is proof that comfort food can be both wholesome and satisfying. With a quick prep time of just 15 minutes and a healthier ingredient list, it’s an ideal meal for busy weeknights or a family-friendly crowd-pleaser. Serve it fresh from the oven, and watch it disappear!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups skim milk
• 1.5 cups low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbly.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the skim milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, combine the whole wheat breadcrumbs and olive oil. Mix well, ensuring the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 9

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your lightened version of Fannie Farmer's classic baked macaroni and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1137.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2221.7

Total Fat 61.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 140.3mg	0%
Sodium 3150.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 267.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.9g	0%
Total Sugars 41.0g
Protein 117.9g	0%

Vitamin D 304.4IU	0%
Calcium 2056.9mg	0%
Iron 13.0mg	0%
Potassium 1336.2mg	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: 26.5%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 51.0%