Calories In 1 2 Cup Baked Mac And Cheese

Healthy Mac And Cheese

May 9, 2021

This healthy mac and cheese can be enjoyed without all the guilt! Made with whole wheat noodles and lighter ingredients, this creamy mac and cheese is lower in calories and fat than the traditional recipe.

You will love this creamy, cheesy, stove-top mac and cheese! The whole wheat noodles add extra fiber, while the laughing cow cheese wedges and fat-free evaporated milk help reduce the fat and calories without sacrificing taste. Sharp cheddar gives it that familiar mac and cheese flavor.

Ready in only a few minutes, this recipe is made in one pot with no baking required! Not baking the mac and cheese also helps keep it extra creamy and smooth. Your kids will like this healthy recipe, and you can even add in chicken and veggies to make it a meal!

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 oz fat-free evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoon butter
• Black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

Laughing cow light wedges are the secret ingredient to this macaroni and cheese! They add to the creaminess and help thicken the sauce without needing to add more butter and flour.

Allrecipes Community Tips And Praise

“This is definitely a favorite in my house,” says Magic. “I use almond milk instead of regular milk and add chicken to make it a macaroni chicken casserole. Also added more Cheddar.”

“This recipe is unmistakably baked and homemade,” according to one Allrecipes community member. “Anyone who says they don’t like macaroni and cheese has never tried this recipe.”

“So delicious,” raves Amy Lemelin. “I added a teaspoon of crushed garlic and a dash of chili pepper. I typed with crushed saltines and cooked bacon. This is my new favorite recipe!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Selecting Cheese For Health

The broad array of cheeses on the market today provides many flavorful opportunities to enhance your diet and health. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and myplate.gov, Americans aged 14 and older should consume 3 cups of dairy as a part of a 2,000-calorie diet each day. One cup from the dairy group is equal to 1½ ounces of natural cheese or 2 ounces of processed cheese . Some ways to increase dairy in your diet are to have cheese as snacks and to add cheese in recipes for entrées, vegetables, grain dishes, and desserts.

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Nutrition Info For Different Types Of Mac And Cheese

The calorie content of macaroni and cheese varies depending on the brand, ingredients, and serving size.

This table lists the nutrient content of a 1-cup serving of the most common mac and cheese brands, along with a homemade version (1, 2,

Mac and cheese contains large amounts of fat and refined carbs, both of which contribute to its high calorie count. Eating more calories than you burn, regardless of which foods they come from, can lead to weight gain.

Additionally, mac and cheese is high in sodium. Its recommended that most people dont exceed around 2,300 mg per day of this mineral, as excessive intake may cause high blood pressure in some individuals

Daiya Cheezy Mac a dairy-free brand has the lowest calorie count with only 300 calories per 1/3 package , which equates to about a 1-cup serving. It also contains the least sodium.

Meanwhile, homemade mac and cheese both regular and gluten-free has the highest calorie count, as this version is typically made with large amounts of cheese, milk, cream cheese, or butter. In return, you have the option to omit adding extra sodium.

As all of these options are relatively high in calories and sodium for 1 cup of food, you should only eat mac and cheese in moderation or as an occasional treat as part of a healthy diet.

Summary

Macaroni and cheese is typically high in calories, containing 300500 calories per serving. Its also high in sodium with 6001,200 mg per serving.

The Best Vegan Mac And Cheese

This classic vegan mac and cheese is ultra cheesy, saucy and creamy. Topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown and crispy. Seriously satisfying.

This classic baked vegan mac and cheese is everything you want a mac and cheese to be.

Its creamy, saucy, ultra cheesy and topped with a delicious crispy breadcrumb topping and baked to perfection.

This is really a classic vegan mac and cheese recipe in the sense that a classic mac and cheese usually involves a bechamel sauce with heaps of cheese added to it, and then its placed into a dish and topped with breadcrumbs and baked.

And thats really very close to what we did here.

We made a vegan bechamel sauce and added all sorts of cheesy flavorings to it in lieu of actual cheese so that even non-vegans will find this cheesy as all heck, and then we topped it with delicious breadcrumbs and baked it. Just like the classic version.

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Add A Splash Of Color With Veggies

Mac and cheese should not be so monochrome. The cheesy noodles are a great vehicle for a wide variety of colorful veggies. Adding vegetables to foods you already eat, like mac and cheese, is an easy way to sneak in another serving of the nutritional heavy hitters into your day and the day of your kids if need be. A study published inCirculation found that three daily servings of vegetables was associated with a reduced overall mortality risk and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness. Add this step when making mac and cheese, and youll add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are needed daily to help our bodies function at their best and reduce chronic disease risk, Andrews says.

Pump up the nutrition with very little effort by tossing in baby spinach, grated carrots, steamed broccoli florets or asparagus, slices of roasted red pepper, frozen peas, shredded Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms. You can also roast fresh vegetables and add these to your mac and cheese at the end, suggests Andrews. This could include beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower. Andrews is also a big fan of steamer bags of frozen vegetables for use in mac and cheese. Or pick up a bag of riced frozen cauliflower or broccoli to add to your cheesy dish, which cuts down on prep work.

Delicious Ways To Make Mac And Cheese Healthier

When you crave a warm, comforting meal after a tough day or because youre suffering from the winter blues, few things hit the spot more than digging into a bowl of macaroni and cheese. The ultimate carb-laden comfort food, mac and cheese has always been a guilty pleasure but it turns out, you can hold the guilt.

While cheese gets a bad rap for its saturated fat and can be high in sodium, most cheeses are good sources of protein and calcium, reports the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. And some research has found that eating cheese may be associated with other benefits. Cheese was the food most strongly associated with a reduced risk of age-related cognitive problems, according to a study published in he Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, with people who ate cheese daily scoring highest on intelligence tests over time. And surprisingly, intake of dairy fat like the kind found in cheese was actually associated with a slightly decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a meta-analysis of 18 studies published in September 2021 in the journal PLoS Medicine.

And what of the macaroni? Well, trading any refined white pasta for whole-grain varieties will net you more fiber, and there are plenty of alternative noodles on the market now as well. But thats just the beginning.

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Replace A Portion Of The Cheese With Yogurt

Cheese is undeniably a big reason why mac and cheese is so delicious and comforting. And, Andrews says, it can be a way to consume more of some important nutrients like protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12. However, its a source of saturated fat, so you want to be mindful of how much you are using. You should know that it is certainly possible to make healthier mac and cheese and still have it taste just as rich, creamy, and cheesy as the classic. How? Andrews says to start by using cheeses that have bolder flavors, like aged sharp cheddar and Gruyère, so you can get away with using smaller portions without feeling like you are skimping on taste. So please, no Velveeta. Including a small amount of grated Parmesan will deepen the umami flavor of the final dish.

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Kraft Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts

The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 1 serving of prepared Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

You’ll benefit from several vitamins and minerals when you consume Kraft mac and cheese, such as thiamin, niacin, folic acid, and beta carotene. It also contains iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

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First Things First: Think Outside The Box

It goes without saying that youll want to ditch packaged products, with their refined grains and ultra-processed cheese powder or sauce. While boxed mac and cheese requires very little brainpower or culinary savvy, the combo of refined flour macaroni, ultra-processed cheese sauce, and surprising amounts of sodium more than 700 milligrams in a cup serving that go into popular brands wont leave you with much nutrition on your plate. Making your own mac and cheese allows you to control what ingredients go into it or not, says Andrews. In the end, she says, this leaves with you a more nutrient-dense and balanced meal. Our recipe below using better-for-you ingredients shows just how easy it can be to serve delicious and nutritious DIY mac and cheese in under 30 minutes.

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My Love Affair With Mac And Cheese

I have a mini love affair with mac and cheese. As a child, I would take it any way I could get it out of a box or made from scratch by Mom. Wait what am I saying, I do that now Mounds of cheese melted into a velvety, creamy sauce and tossed with pasta. Yes, please!

There are lots of recipes for macaroni and cheese in the world and to be completely honest, Id probably love most of them. That said, I do think there are a few key elements for the best mac and cheese.

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Make Use Of Flavor Boosters Like Spices

To really go the distance on a new and improved mac and cheese, raid the spice drawer. For virtually no calories, items like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, mustard powder, and even curry powder can power up the flavor of your cheese sauce.

Even better, a The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adults who seasoned foods with a little more than 1 teaspoon of herbs and spices for four weeks had lower blood pressure compared to when they ate the same diet with fewer seasonings.

Another trick is to blend roasted garlic into the sauce. If youre a fan of the briny flavor of olives, go ahead and toss some of those in as well. Fresh herbs, including parsley and chervil, are a lively finishing touch.

Other User Submitted Calorie Info Matching: Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Baked Macaroni And Cheese47124g41g23g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese85039g90g0g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese28814g25g16g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese25715g18g12g

• Vitamin A 10.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese00g0g0g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese2101g42g7g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese00g0g0g

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Baked Macaroni And Cheese46825g42g19g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Baked Macaroni And Cheese33615g37g14g

• Vitamin A 10.5 %

• Calories: 398, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 29g, Protein: 26g, Fiber: 1g

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Why Are Cheeses So Different

So how can there be such a range of nutritional profiles for different cheeses? We know that the flavor and texture of Chèvre is different from crumbly, strong-tasting Brie, which is different from sharp or mild Cheddar, which is different from mild Parmesan. These cheeses illustrate different styles, manufacturing processes, and compositional ranges. Cheese can be categorized into different styles based loosely on their textural or important manufacturing characteristics as described in the table. Cheese can also be categorized by the type of milk used , other processing characteristics , or traditional practices and names . Cheeses typically fall into more than one category, and there is no single way to categorize cheese.

How To Reduce The Calorie Count Of Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese is typically made with rich, high calorie ingredients like pasta, cheese, and milk or cream. Some versions also include cream cheese or butter, which provide additional fat and calories.

These rich ingredients make mac and cheese a tasty dish to enjoy in moderation, but thankfully, there are easy swaps you can make to reduce the calorie content or make the dish healthier.

Here are a few healthier swaps for your macaroni and cheese:

• Use high protein, high fiber pasta made from beans or chickpeas instead of plain macaroni to increase its protein and fiber contents.
• Use cauliflower or broccoli florets instead of plain macaroni to reduce carbs and calories.
• Follow the directions for light preparation on boxed mac and cheese products, as they require less butter and milk.
• Add vegetables to your mac and cheese to increase the fiber and nutrient contents and decrease the calories per serving.
• Halve the amount of cheese used and add herbs and spices to flavor the dish instead.
• Swap cream and milk for unsweetened nut milk, which may reduce calories.
• Use Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese, which provides the same tangy flavor and creamy texture in fewer calories.
• Add diced chicken breast or other lean protein sources, such as tuna or beans, to make the dish more filling and higher in protein.

Here is a healthier recipe for traditional mac and cheese that still results in a rich, creamy side dish.

You will need:

• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

The steps are:

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Vegan Mac And Cheese Recipe Q& a

What does vegan mac and cheese taste like?

Like the best comfort food ever! Its super cheesy and so close to the real thing you might not even know its vegan. Seriously!

Can I make this vegan mac and cheese gluten-free?

The sauce can be made gluten-free if you use a gluten-free all purpose flour blend instead of the regular flour. And then of course you can use a gluten-free macaroni. You would also need to use gluten-free bread for the crumb topping, or alternatively you could add vegan cheese to the top instead of breadcrumbs.

Can this be made ahead?

Yes! If you need to make it ahead of time you can make up the sauce and macaroni up to 2 days before and mix it up and assemble in the 9×13 dish. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated. Then when youre ready to bake it, add the breadcrumbs and bake. In this case, since it is going into the oven cold from the fridge, add an extra 5 minutes of baking time.

How long does it keep?

Leftovers keep very well in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze vegan mac and cheese?

Yes you can! This freezes very well.

How To Make Mac And Cheese

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this crowd-pleasing homemade mac and cheese:

1. Boil the noodles: Boil the macaroni in salted water until the noodles are al dente. Drain and transfer to a prepared baking dish.2.Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter, then whisk in the flour. Whisk in the milk, bring to a simmer, and stir in the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper and continue simmering until the sauce is thick. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir.3. Make the topping: Melt two tablespoons of butter in a skillet, add the bread crumbs, and toast until the crumbs are brown. Spread the topping over the macaroni and cheese, then sprinkle with paprika.4. Bake the mac and cheese: Bake in the preheated oven until the topping is golden brown.

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Making It Ahead Of Time

Like most baked pasta dishes, mac and cheese is perfect for making ahead of time. Here are a few tips:

• The sauce can be made ahead and stored, covered in the refrigerator, for two days. Warm the sauce before mixing with cooked pasta.
• Mac and cheese can be made ahead, spooned into a baking dish and stored, covered in the refrigerator, for two days. Cold macaroni and cheese may take a little longer than 30 minutes in the oven to be fully heated and cooked through.
• You can also freeze stovetop or baked mac and cheese for up to two months. To reheat, defrost overnight and bake or warm on the stove until heated through. Or bake from frozen. It will take about 1 hour.