Name: Healthier Creamy Dreamy Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 6 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni; 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated skim milk, divided; 1 teaspoon tapioca starch; 5 ounces low-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, grated; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, or more to taste; 0.5 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Macaroni and Cheese

Lightened-Up Macaroni and Cheese

Aug 2, 2025
by Adonis Nader
- 0.0 / 5 ( 0 Ratings)
0 Likes

PREP TIME

5 mins
COOK TIME

15 mins
TOTAL TIME

25 mins
SERVING

4 People
VIEWS

0

A comforting classic, reimagined! This lightened-up Macaroni and Cheese delivers all the creamy, cheesy goodness you crave, without the guilt. Perfect for a weeknight indulgence or a sophisticated side dish.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Cooking spray

6 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni

1 (5 ounce) can evaporated skim milk, divided

1 teaspoon tapioca starch

5 ounces low-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, or more to taste

0.5 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 pinch cayenne pepper

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

39 g
Cholesterol

26 mg
Fiber

4 g
Protein

18 g
Saturated Fat

5 g
Sodium

401 mg
Sugar

4 g
Fat

8 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven's broiler. Coat an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat macaroni until tender yet firm, about 8 minutes. (10 minutes)

03

Step

Create the Sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together 1 tablespoon of evaporated milk and tapioca starch until smooth. Gradually whisk in the remaining evaporated milk. Stir in the grated Cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper. (5 minutes)

04

Step

Melt & Combine: Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce has thickened slightly. (7 minutes)

05

Step

Combine & Bake: Drain the cooked pasta thoroughly and stir it into the cheese sauce until well coated. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. (3 minutes)

06

Step

Broil to Perfection: Place the baking dish under the broiler and cook until the top is golden brown and bubbly, approximately 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning! (5 minutes)

07

Step

Cool & Serve: Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. (5 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce.
Feel free to experiment with different types of low-fat cheese, such as Gruyere or Monterey Jack.
To make this dish even healthier, stir in some steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets along with the pasta.
If you don't have tapioca starch, you can substitute cornstarch.

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Adonis Nader

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.