Low Fat Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

Indulge in comfort food without the guilt with this Low Fat Macaroni and Cheese with Ham recipe, perfect for a hearty yet wholesome meal. Packed with tender whole wheat macaroni, a creamy low-fat sharp cheddar sauce, and savory bites of smoky diced ham, this dish is expertly seasoned with Dijon mustard, paprika, and black pepper for a flavor boost. The lightened-up sauce uses a simple flour-and-milk base to achieve a velvety texture while keeping calories in check. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and freshness, this 40-minute meal is a delicious, lighter twist on a classic. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this easy casserole is proof that low-fat doesn’t mean low flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat macaroni
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 6 ounces diced cooked ham
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0 as needed cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

Step 2

Cook the whole wheat macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the low-fat milk slowly, but do not bring it to a boil.

Step 4

In a separate small bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour with a small amount of the warmed milk to create a smooth paste.

Step 5

Add the flour mixture to the saucepan with the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, and gradually stir in the grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika until everything is well combined.

Step 8

Add the cooked, diced ham into the cheese sauce and stir to evenly distribute.

Step 9

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese and ham sauce with the cooked macaroni, stirring gently to coat all the macaroni.

Step 10

Lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray, then spoon in the macaroni and cheese mixture.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Step 12

Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1272.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2397.4

Total Fat 58.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 268.7mg	0%
Sodium 6313.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 216.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 30.5g
Protein 264.2g	0%

Vitamin D 278.5IU	0%
Calcium 3274.5mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 1706.6mg	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: 21.6%

Protein: 43.1%

Carbs: 35.3%