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Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

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Macaroni and cheese doesn’t have to mean you are selling yourself short on flavor.  Everyone cheers!  But it’s true.  This healthy macaroni and cheese with broccoli recipe is hearty, creamy and cheesy, which is a win-win for any mac and cheese recipe.  Don’t let the word broccoli deter you from trying this dish.

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

When I was little, I used to want to be Kraft mac and cheese.  Like from the box.  Apparently, I loved this stuff so much that I had decided that I didn’t only want to be Kraft mac and cheese, I wanted to marry it.  Granted, I was probably 4 or 5, but this story has been told many times  – thanks Meme – and I can’t really hide from it.  To be fair, I really did love Kraft mac and cheese and ate it probably every meal for a long time.  I mean, why else would they tell me I wanted to marry it?

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

Well, some 28 years later I still love macaroni and cheese, but I like the adult version of it.  This recipe is a healthy version of the classic with a few additions.  Steamed broccoli swoops in to make this dish feel a little bit more grown up, and I added pre-cooked chopped chicken because I wanted this to be more like a meal than a side dish.  And boy, did it deliver.

To make this healthy macaroni and cheese with broccoli:

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.

Heat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil spray to medium-low heat.  Add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent.  Remove from heat and add the semisoft cheese.  Add the chicken and stir until combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and Almond Milk.  Add to the chicken mixture and stir until thickened.

Meanwhile, bring a small pot to a boil for steaming the broccoli. Steam the broccoli until it is crisp, yet cooked.

Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Add the cooked macaroni, spinach and broccoli.

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

This recipe is 5 SmartPoints per serving, 1 cup.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 576kcal
Author: Dash of Herbs

Ingredients

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1 package pre-cooked chicken strips chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 4oz package light semisoft cheese with garlic and herbs. I used goat cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups Almond Milk or another low-fat milk
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup reduced fat cheese shredded
  • 2 cups baby spinach chopped
  • 1 bunch broccoli florets chopped

Instructions

  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil spray to medium-low heat.  Add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent. Remove from heat and add the semisoft cheese. Add the chicken and stir until combined.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and Almond Milk. Add to the chicken mixture and stir until thickened.
  • Meanwhile, bring a small pot to a boil for steaming the broccoli. Steam the broccoli until it is crisp, yet cooked.  Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Add the cooked macaroni, spinach and broccoli.

Notes

You can substitute low fat cream cheese if you can't find the semi-soft cheese.  Use 4oz of the low fat cream cheese, like you would with the semi-soft cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Amount Per Serving
Calories 576 Calories from Fat 299
% Daily Value*
Fat 33.2g51%
Saturated Fat 12.6g79%
Cholesterol 141.2mg47%
Sodium 355mg15%
Carbohydrates 26.1g9%
Fiber 3.8g16%
Sugar 6.2g7%
Protein 43.2g86%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @dashofherbs or tag #dashofherbsrecipes!

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli

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8 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kristyn | Dash of Herbs says

    May 20, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    Thanks Rachel. It’s so delicious!

  2. Rachel @ STCL says

    May 20, 2016 at 11:00 am

    This is my kind of meal! Yum!!

  3. Kristyn | Dash of Herbs says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    It really is the ultimate comfort food. And I have to say that this recipe is so filling and perfect for when you need comfort food.

  4. Kristyn | Dash of Herbs says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Thank you Missy! It’s so good…trust me. The almond milk is a great substitute (we don’t have regular milk in the house, so I only use almond milk to cook with).

  5. Kristyn | Dash of Herbs says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:52 pm

    This was something I was so happy worked out. It tasted SO good. I love that sign too. It’s one of the few that I left when we decluttered our house. It’s perfect.

  6. Anne @ Love the Here and Now says

    May 19, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and now, thanks to this I can eat it guilt free!

  7. Missy Quigley says

    May 19, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Looks so delicious! I have never tried almond milk in mac n cheese, great idea!

  8. Emelia @ Dream Big & Buy the S says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Yummmm! I love mac & cheese andddd broccoli! Looks so delicious 🙂 I love your sign too– I obviously have the same one 😉

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