Lower Fat Macaroni and Six Cheeses

Indulge in a guilt-free twist on a comfort food classic with this Lower Fat Macaroni and Six Cheeses recipe! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is enveloped in a luscious, creamy sauce made with a medley of six cheeses—sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, Gruyere, ricotta, and cream cheese—each carefully selected for a rich and savory flavor profile. The recipe swaps traditional ingredients for lower-fat alternatives, such as skim milk and reduced-fat cheese, creating a lighter yet satisfying dish. A golden topping of crisp panko breadcrumbs finishes off this baked masterpiece, offering the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. With a streamlined 45-minute prep and cook time, this healthier mac and cheese recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or crowd-pleasing gatherings. Treat your family to this wholesome take on mac and cheese and savor every bite of cheesy, comfort-packed goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 3 cups Skim milk
• 1.5 cups Reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Part-skim ricotta cheese
• 4 tablespoons Low-fat cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons Whole-wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 0 as needed Olive oil spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the whole-wheat flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Stir in the cream cheese, ground mustard, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to melt together until smooth.

Step 6

Gradually add the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, Gruyere, and ricotta, stirring constantly until all the cheeses are melted and blended into a creamy sauce.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to ensure every piece is coated. Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni. Lightly spray with olive oil for crisping.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, lower-fat macaroni and six cheeses!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1709.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3411.6

Total Fat 136.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 77.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 404.2mg	0%
Sodium 6259.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 350.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.1g	0%
Total Sugars 60.2g
Protein 204.0g	0%

Vitamin D 370.1IU	0%
Calcium 4360.8mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 1826.5mg	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: 35.7%

Protein: 23.7%

Carbs: 40.6%