Low Fat Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Indulge in the creamy, comforting flavors of this **Low Fat Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese**, a lighter take on the beloved comfort food that doesn't skimp on taste. This recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, velvety cheese sauce made from **low-fat cheddar and mozzarella**, a touch of Dijon mustard, and subtle spices like paprika. The dish is topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs for the perfect baked finish. With simple ingredients and just **15 minutes of prep time**, this healthier version of mac and cheese is ideal for weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing sides. Packed with flavor yet low in fat, it’s the perfect guilt-free indulgence for comfort food lovers. Keywords: low fat macaroni and cheese, baked mac and cheese, healthy comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams elbow macaroni
• 500 milliliters low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 150 grams low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
• 100 grams low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 50 grams breadcrumbs
• 0 cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute to form a roux.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the low-fat milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue cooking and stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded low-fat cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to ensure all pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in the macaroni and cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 9

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your low-fat classic baked macaroni and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1106.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2391.0

Total Fat 72.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 209.1mg	0%
Sodium 6319.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 275.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 39.1g
Protein 165.1g	0%

Vitamin D 210IU	0%
Calcium 2451.4mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 294.9mg	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: 27.0%

Protein: 27.3%

Carbs: 45.7%