Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
You have to try this recipe for a healthier take on a comfort food favorite. We really enjoyed the smokey flavor from the cheese, it is a little lighter on the waistline, but let’s be for real here… it is still not the best thing for you! Cooking Light Recipes have never let me down and you will become happily hooked on this dish. I know your taste buds and your waist will thank you for such a yummy treat! If you would like to make it even lighter and healthier …. I always use lower fat everything, use light cheese, light butter and wheat pasta.
How Much You Make: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups)
What You’ll Need
- 1 (1-ounce) slice whole wheat bread
- 1 tablespoon butter (I used light)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups fat-free milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 5 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
- 4 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked)
- Cooking spray
What You Have to Do
Preheat your oven to 350°.
Put bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/2 cup.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 2 minutes). Add cheeses; stir until melted.
Add spinach and macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring until well blended. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly
Amount per serving – (original recipe from cooking light, not with the lower fat cheese, light butter and whole wheat pasta)
- Calories: 399
- Calories from fat: 25%
- Fat: 10.9g
- Saturated fat: 6.2g
- Monounsaturated fat: 3g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0.8g
- Protein: 20.1g
- Carbohydrate: 54.9g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
- Iron: 3.6mg
- Sodium: 725mg
- Calcium: 421mg
© Heather Pace and ready-set-style.com, 2011 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heather Pace and ready-set-style.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
This is one of my favorite cheeses. My mom and I would get this at the grocery store, the fresh pickles out of the barrels, and some crackers…..YUMMY!!
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