Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Who doesn't love comfort food like Mac 'n Cheese? This recipe has a surprise ingredient to boost its nutritional content!

Ingredients

8 ounces whole-grain macaroni noodles, uncooked
1 tablespoon butter spread
1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour
10 ounce bag (2 cups) cubed frozen butternut squash, thawed
2 ounces (½ cup packed) reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
Sea salt, to taste

Directions

Before you begin: Wash your hands.

1. Boil noodles according to directions. Drain and reserve 2 cups pasta water.
2. In pot over medium heat, cook butter spread with flour for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Whisk in 1 cup pasta water.
4. Add squash and cook/mash until smooth. (Note: Add more pasta water as needed for a smooth cheese-like consistency.)
5. Add cheese and stir until melted.
6. Fold in cooked noodles until combined and season with salt.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 300; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2.5g; Trans Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 10mg; Sodium: 290mg; Total Carbohydrate: 53g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugars: 2g; Protein: 13g.

Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and author.