Skinny Mac and Cheese

Looking for a healthier alternative to your favorite comfort food? This Skinny Mac and Cheese with pasta and cauliflower a great solution! Packed with nutrients and all of the cheesy goodness you love, this dish will become a new family favorite. No need to give up pasta completely - this recipe offers the perfect balance.

For me, a big part of balance in life is enjoying foods that I love. I am pretty lucky in that I truly enjoy salads, vegetables and juices.

I also happen to be wild about anything that is rich, creamy and cheesy. Yep, I kind of go nuts over indulgent foods.

The first thing I ever remember cooking is (boxed) Macaroni and Cheese under my Mother's supervision.  My first signature dish, what an insanely delicious homemade Macaroni and Cheese.

Not exactly health food.

Seeing as how I'm not getting any younger, for the last few years I've been all about making indulgent foods (like macaroni and cheese) a bit more sensible.

Maybe not quite health food - I've got my salads, juices and quinoa for that - but something I can enjoy on occasion without feeling guilty.

Today's Cauliflower Mac n Cheese is just that!

Creamy lusciousness with just 356 calories a serving.

Serve it with a green salad and you've got a great meal that won't derail your health goals.

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5 from 1 vote

Skinny Mac and Cheese

This Skinny Mac and Cheese is the perfect dish when you are craving something rich and cheesy, but don't want to stray from your health goals.

Prep Time25 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 314kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 6 ounces gluten free pasta I used quinoa pasta
• 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons gluten free flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 8 ounces organic sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 egg yolks
• ¾ cup gluten free breadcrumbs

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish with olive oil.
• Bring a pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding cauliflower in the last 6 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid and drain.
• Melt butter in the same pot. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Stir in reserved water, milk, and garlic. Cook for 8 minutes, until sauce is thicken, whisking often. 
• Turn heat to low and stir in cheese, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and slowly stir in egg yolks. Toss with pasta and cauliflower.
• Transfer to prepared dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Spray breadcrumbs with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 560IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 287mg | Iron: 0.5mg