Mac and cheese will forever be one of my favorite meals. It instantly brings me back to my childhood and reminds me of my sister. She taught me how to make all the pasta dishes you need to know how to make in high school and/or college — mac and cheese, buttered noodles and ramen. So, this recipe is for you, sis! With a little added nutrition oomph. 😉 Macaroni and cheese is a staple for most American families, but there is a miiiiinor problem with traditional mac and cheese — it’s pretty low in nutrients. Since most kids I know are surviving off of mac and cheese, and because I miss having a bowl every now and then, I wanted to take a stab at turning a traditional recipe into a full meal that’s protein packed and sneaks in some green veggies. Challenge = accepted! Ingredients in Protein Mac and Cheese
Notes & SubstitutionsPasta: As I mentioned above, I love using legume pasta to amp up the nutrition count. That said, you can totally use whatever pasta you prefer. Veggies: Not a fan of spinach and broccoli? Feel free to use other veggies! Cheese: I used organic Irish cheddar cheese and shredded it myself. In case you were wondering, let me just confirm that real cheese is 100x better than powdered cheese or even pre-shredded cheese. Fresh is always better and shredding the cheese takes no time at all. However, you can use whatever you prefer including reduced fat cheddar cheese. Vegan + Dairy Free: If you want to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free you can use vegan butter, vegan shredded cheddar cheese and 1 Tablespoon of vegan cream cheese instead of the spreadable cheese wedge. I also have a Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe if you’re interested! How to Serve This Protein Mac and CheeseThis mac and cheese is hearty enough to be served as a meal on its own, but if you want additional protein I recommend pairing it with an easy protein option like roasted chickpeas, tofu, shrimp or chicken. It pairs perfectly with my grilled apple cider vinegar chicken. You can also serve it alongside a salad for extra veggie goodness. I’d recommend one of these salads: Garlicky Kale Salad, Easy Spinach Salad or Easy Caprese Salad. How to Store Protein Mac and CheeseStore in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This mac and cheese will keep for 3-4 days. More Pasta Recipes to Try
More Broccoli Recipes to Try
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A healthy mac and cheese recipe that is packed with protein, broccoli and spinach. Perfect as a full meal and a sneaky way to get your kids to eat more veggies. Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Servings 4
Serving: 1(made with reduced fat cheddar cheese)Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 26gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 38mgSodium: 354mgFiber: 10gSugar: 3g DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and share on social media using the hashtag #eatingbirdfood. I love seeing your recipe shares! This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support. Related PostsWhat mac n cheese is healthy?A tried-and-true classic amongst people with a variety of allergies, Daiya is perhaps the original healthier mac and cheese, and its creamy sauce and familiar flavors will always do the trick. It is one of the more popular brands, with dairy-free and gluten-free pizzas, desserts, and salad dressings under their belt.
Is Homemade mac and cheese healthier than boxed?There's A LOT more protein in the homemade version because of the real dairy as well. If you add in all the preservatives and random ingredients that are included in Boxed Mac -n- Cheese (Sodium Tripolyphosphate anyone?), I'm going to give the Nutrition award to the homemade version.
Is Annie's mac and cheese healthier than Kraft?Kraft and Annie's aren't that different, nutritionally. In fact, a box of Annie's shells and white cheddar has 20 more calories than a box of Kraft Original mac and cheese, and comparable amounts of sodium and fiber, though Annie's has fewer ingredients (and more organic ones) overall.
How healthy is Kraft Mac and Cheese?That means it's best as an occasional food, not a pantry staple. For example, Kraft Mac and Cheese calories are pretty high (350 per one-cup serving). 1 And other mac and cheese calories (even the homemade variety) are high as well. This dish is also high in fat and very high in sodium.
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