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Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese dish is kid-friendly and a fantastic alternative to boxed mac and cheese. And it’s quite a bit healthier too!

All three of my kids love boxed mac and cheese. However, my younger two are pickier when it comes to homemade mac and cheese. So I started experimenting with different recipes and this Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese one was a hit!

Since we’ve been eating almost exclusively at home over the past 3+ months, I’ve had more opportunities to cook with my kids.

Prior to this period, I typically prepped dinner while the kids were at school. So they didn’t have a chance to help with meals. They would love to help out on the weekends when I would bake cookies, muffins or bread but rarely dinners.

baked mac and cheese

Now that my kids have been home full-time for over 3 months, they are able to help out during the day with meal prep. They’ve also learned a ton more about cooking, household chores and life skills in general.

Like loading and unloading the dishwasher…

And vacuuming 🙂

Yes, these life skills were happening prior to this pandemic. However, it was not nearly as consistent as I would have liked it to be.

Despite all the negative parts of this time crazy period, I am so thankful for the time we have as a family and for our health.

Additional Chocolate Slopes Pasta Dishes

Getting back to recipes. If you like this Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe you may also like one of my family’s other favorite pasta dishes.

Baked Tuna Mac & Cheese Muffins

baked tuna mac and cheese

One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

one.pot.cheeseburger.macaroni.casserole

Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

pesto chicken pasta bake

Some Favorite Side Dishes I’m Serving Lately

Now that summer is in full force, I am mainly sticking to cold side dishes. I’m loving these lately:

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Dried Cranberries

Creamy Broccoli Salad

Strawberry Quinoa Spinach Salad

fresh strawberry quinoa spinach salad

Avocado Corn Tomato Salad

avocado corn tomato salad

Despite all the negative parts of this time crazy period, I am so thankful for the time we have as a family and for our health. I hope you all are able to enjoy extra time with your loved ones now that the country is opening up its restrictions.

Here’s to enjoying an exciting and hopefully non-eventful summer!

baked mac and cheese

Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz. whole wheat pasta shells (or your favorite type of pasta)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter spread
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat Panko crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to directions.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a 2 1/2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large skillet add butter and cook until butter is melted.
  • Stir in flour until thoroughly mixed.
  • Slowly add chicken broth and milk.
  • Increase heat to bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
  • Cook for another five minutes or until sauce has thickened.
  • Stir in cheese and remove from heat.
  • Stir pasta into sauce and add to the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with Panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
baked mac & cheese

This Healthier Baked Macaroni and Cheese post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.

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