Little Veronica's Healthy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

Little Veronica's Healthy Macaroni and Cheese Casserole is the perfect guilt-free comfort food for the whole family. Packed with nutrient-rich whole wheat macaroni, creamy Greek yogurt, and fresh spinach, this dish delivers classic mac and cheese flavors with a wholesome twist. A velvety sauce made with low-fat sharp cheddar cheese and unsweetened almond milk coats every bite, while a golden breadcrumb and parmesan topping adds irresistible crunch. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy-to-make casserole is a kid-friendly, veggie-packed dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it as a standalone meal or pair it with a crisp green salad for an even healthier touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
• 2 cups low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Then, add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, heat the almond milk over low-medium heat until warm. Gradually whisk in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.

Step 5

Stir in the Greek yogurt, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Then, stir in the sautéed spinach and onion mixture.

Step 6

Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni in a large mixing bowl. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Spoon the macaroni mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs over the top.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1505.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2176.8

Total Fat 58.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 124.5mg	0%
Sodium 3457.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 244.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.8g	0%
Total Sugars 20.4g
Protein 151.6g	0%

Vitamin D 248.0IU	0%
Calcium 3243.7mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 2409.9mg	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: 24.8%

Protein: 28.8%

Carbs: 46.4%