Low Fat Macaroni and Cheese with Ham
Indulge in comfort food without the guilt with this **Low Fat Macaroni and Cheese with Ham** recipe—perfect for health-conscious foodies who crave rich flavor. Made with **whole wheat macaroni**, creamy **low-fat milk**, and sharp **low-fat cheddar cheese**, this lighter twist on the classic dish delivers satisfying creaminess with a fraction of the fat. The addition of **diced cooked ham** adds a hearty, smoky element, while a touch of **Dijon mustard** and **paprika** bring depth and a hint of spice. Topped off with vibrant **green onions**, this easy-to-make baked casserole offers a wholesome, protein-packed meal that’s ready in just 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this guilt-free take on comfort food pairs family-friendly flavors with a healthy spin.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat macaroni
- 2 cups low-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 6 ounces diced cooked ham
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- as needed cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Cook the whole wheat macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the low-fat milk slowly, but do not bring it to a boil.
In a separate small bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour with a small amount of the warmed milk to create a smooth paste.
Add the flour mixture to the saucepan with the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.
Reduce the heat to low, and gradually stir in the grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika until everything is well combined.
Add the cooked, diced ham into the cheese sauce and stir to evenly distribute.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese and ham sauce with the cooked macaroni, stirring gently to coat all the macaroni.
Lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray, then spoon in the macaroni and cheese mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2397 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 58.7 g | 75% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.6 g | 148% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 269 mg | 90% | |
| Sodium | 6314 mg | 275% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 216.1 g | 79% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.5 g | ||
| Protein | 264.2 g | 528% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.0 mcg | 35% | |
| Calcium | 3274 mg | 252% | |
| Iron | 12.0 mg | 67% | |
| Potassium | 1707 mg | 36% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
