healthier mac and cheese (in response to a reader comment)

a reader sent me this comment recently:


Dear minette,
My children love Mac & cheese but I don't make it since all the recipes sound unhealthy and very fattening. Do you have any recipes for a healthy one?
Thank you


i make a healthier version of mac and cheese for my kids sometimes. depending on what cheese you use, it can also be an alfredo/carbonara style white sauce as well. cook whole wheat (or brown rice) elbow macaroni in salted water, and drain. for the cheese sauce:

1 1/2 cup low-fat organic milk-divided-keep 1/3 of milk aside
2-3 tbsp organic ww flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups good quality cheddar cheese, grated-or for a white "alfredo" style sauce combine grated gruyere and grated parmesan cheeses
sea salt & pepper to taste

heat 2/3 of the milk, then add to it the mixture of the flour and remaining cold milk (whisk them together until flour has fully dissolved). whisk continuously and carefully on medium until milk thickens. remove from heat, add salt & pepper (maybe not too much pepper for the kids), then whisk the cheese in quickly (it will melt) and add to cooked pasta. at this point you can (also) bake the pasta cheese mixture in the oven with good breadcrumbs on top with a few dots of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. bake at 350 degrees until golden on top. the quantities may need slight adjustments...if milk gets too thick, add more milk, if too thin, add more (diluted) flour. cheese quantity also depends on how cheesy you like it. if you do the white sauce, you can also add some sauteed mushrooms, ham, or peas to the white sauce. "like" my page on facebook for updates on new posts:
cookingminette