Three Cheese Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe - 8 Points | LaaLoosh (2024)

By Wendy Zitzman

Three Cheese Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe - 8 Points | LaaLoosh (1)

Nothing quite says comfort food like mac and cheese.

The combination of carbs and cheese is just absolutely irresistible to me, and I cannot deny it to myself. So to keep myself from indulging on the high fat restaurant versions of mac and cheese, I created this Three Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe that is every bit as decadent as a gourmet version, but for a lot less Points.

By using all whole wheat carbs, I was able to amp up the protein and fiber. And the addition of spinach gives it some added nutrition and flavor.

I wanted this Weight Watchers mac and cheese recipe to have a mild flavor, so I chose fontina cheese as the base, because I like its delicate, slightly nutty flavor. You could definitely substitute that with a light mozzarella or other type of cheese, if you’d like, and get the Points even lower.

The crunch of the Panko on top gives it some added texture and a boost of flavor too.

This is definitely a satisfying serving that leaves you feeling very content and your carb/cheese craving tames…for now at least. :) Enjoy!

Three Cheese Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe - 8 Points | LaaLoosh (2)

THREE CHEESE BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

Creamy, mild, and incredibly comforting, this is a healthy mac and cheese recipe that is simple yet satisfying. When made with the right ingredients, mac and cheese can be a delicious and guilt free meal to help satisfy those comfort food cravings.

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Servings 8 servings

Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz whole wheat macaroni noodles - (uncooked)
  • 1 ½ cups fat free milk
  • 1 cups fat free chicken broth - (use milk instead if you want to keep this vegetarian)
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
  • 1 6 oz bag fresh baby spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup fat free cream cheese
  • ½ cup whole wheat panko breads crumbs
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350.

  • Cook macaroni noodles according to package directions.

  • While noodles are cooking, make sauce by whisking together milk and flour in a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add in broth and cheeses, and continue to whisk until cheese are melted and sauce is creamy and thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Drain noodles and return them to the pot. Add the fresh spinach leaves into the hot noodles, and toss until leaves begin to wilt. Pour in cheese sauce and stir well to combine.Transfer to a 13 x 9 baking dish.

  • In a small bowl, mix Panko with garlic powder, parsley, thyme, and salt & pepper. Sprinkle over top of mac and cheese.

  • Place in oven and bake until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Notes

  • The entire recipe makes 8 servings
  • The serving size is about 1 cup

Nutrition

Calories: 312 kcal (16%)Carbohydrates: 47.8 g (16%)Protein: 18.2 g (36%)Fat: 7.1 g (11%)Saturated Fat: 3.7 g (23%)Cholesterol: 22 mg (7%)Sodium: 324 mg (14%)Potassium: 232 mg (7%)Fiber: 7 g (29%)Sugar: 2.9 g (3%)Calcium: 180 mg (18%)Iron: 3.8 mg (21%)

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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AuthorWendy Zitzman

As your average, every day, All American woman, I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts and ideas on many different topics that interest me such as dieting, health & fitness. Trust me when I tell you that this is one site you NEED to bookmark! I have the most amazing recipes with Weight Watchers Points that you won’t believe are low calorie! As an avid Weight Watchers follower, I have learned so many helpful tips and tools over the years that I am eager to share.Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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    4 Comments

    1. Karen8 years ago

      I loved this recipe! Because I’m dating a person who doesn’t like baked mac, I stopped right before adding to the baking dish, adding the panko topping, and baking. It was amazing even without, and I’ll definitely be adding this recipe to my list of regulars!

    2. Leah10 years ago

      This dish is TO DIE FOR. The fontina cheese is just the right amount of tangy cheese. Spinach is a super food to me so I love that there is a TON of it. Finally, the panko seasoning blend gives it the right amount of crunch and flavor. All around one of the best recipes I’ve found on this website :)

    3. JIll10 years ago

      I have been looking through your recipes. I don’t see a print button. Is it possible to add one?
      Thanks!

    4. Gail10 years ago

      This dish is my new favorite. I had to substitute greek yogurt for the cream cheese but nevertheless it was delicious.

    Food Recipes

    Three Cheese Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe - 8 Points | LaaLoosh (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese baked? ›

    My favorite combination of cheeses for Mac and Cheese are: Mild Cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack and Parmesan. I also like to add a bit of cream cheese and white wine to the milk/butter mix. Thanks for the A2A, Ali!

    What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

    To thin the sauce, add a few tablespoons of milk at a time until at desired consistency.

    How to make the best mac and cheese Gordon Ramsay? ›

    Preparation
    1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
    2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
    3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
    4. Enjoy!
    5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
    May 4, 2023

    How much mac and cheese per person? ›

    If there is going to be a main course, with the mac and cheese being a side, or there are other items, then I would do half a pound, or 250 grams per person. Another way to look at it is an average American eats 5.5 pounds of food a day. Divide that by three and you get 1.83 pounds per meal.

    What is Perfect Bake 3 cheese blend? ›

    Our Perfect Bakes cheese is the perfect combination of full flavoured Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmesan to add a superior flavour whilst delivering that golden, crispy cheese top.

    What are the 3 cheeses in Kraft 3 cheese? ›

    Kraft Grated Three Cheese Blend – Add a sprinkle of zing to your favorite pastas, pizzas, seafood, salads and more with the bold taste of Kraft grated Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheeses.

    Is it better to use evaporated milk or regular milk in mac and cheese? ›

    Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

    Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

    What happens if you use water instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

    Water actually works perfectly well as a milk substitute in mac and cheese. It adds all the liquid you need, though it doesn't have the creaminess or flavor that other substitutes add. However, if you add a little pasta water, instead of plain tap water, to your cheese sauce, you might get better results.

    What happens if you add more butter to mac and cheese? ›

    One way to make boxed mac and cheese much richer is to ditch the milk and add extra butter. The box instructions will most likely call for both milk and butter, but, as it turns out, the milk is unnecessary — as long as you add enough butter, of course.

    Should mac and cheese be runny before baking? ›

    It's very important that your mixture thickens before you continue. The mixture should be creamy and should coat the back of a spoon (see step 5 below). If it's not thickened, your baked mac and cheese will be too liquidy and runny. We want creamy decadence, not a runny mess.

    What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better? ›

    8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
    1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
    2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
    3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
    4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
    5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
    May 21, 2022

    Which cheese is best for mac and cheese? ›

    What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

    What meat goes with mac and cheese? ›

    Popular choices are bacon, ground beef, shredded chicken, cooked sausage or pulled pork, which add a savory depth to the dish. Is mac and cheese for dinner? Absolutely! Mac and cheese can be a satisfying main dish, especially when paired with sides like a protein or a salad.

    How much macaroni do I need for 4 people? ›

    75g of dried pasta per person is about right. If you're cooking for 4 people, you'll need 300g of pasta. Give your pasta plenty of room to cook – so you want a large pan.

    What are the best types of cheese to bake? ›

    What Are the Best Cheeses for Baking? While French cheeses like brie and Camembert are obvious choices for baking, they aren't the only options. Fresh or brined cheeses including ricotta, goat cheese, feta, and blue also bake up beautifully.

    How do you keep macaroni and cheese creamy? ›

    You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

    References

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