Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? But do you also love the 500-600 calories and 15-25 grams of fat per cup that comes with it (and who has just one cup)? Truth is, you don’t need heaps of fat to create a creamy and sensuous macaroni and cheese. A little butter goes a long way, as does good quality cheese. When it comes to toppings, I like the contrast of tender, cheesy noodles with crunchy toasted bread crumbs, but when you bake macaroni and cheese with a crust, the noodles dry out. So, for this dish, I created the topping in a skillet and then sprinkled it on at the end, creating golden brown, parmesan-spiked bliss. Also, lots of mac and cheese recipes call for a dash of hot sauce – the heat ramps up the cheese flavor and rounds out the dish. Instead of hot sauce, I decided to add a roasted jalapeno. The freshly roasted pepper adds the perfect amount of smoky heat and a splash of color. I think you’ll adore this! Read more »

Good old pasta recipes can easily be turned into a vegetarian dishes. Problem is, pile in tons of cheese and large portions of pasta and watch the calories and heart-clogging saturated fat go through the roof (yes, even vegetarian recipes can be unhealthy!). There are ways to lighten up your lasagna and macaroni and cheese but here are a variety of vegetarian pasta dishes that are delicious and figure-friendly.

Recipes to try:

• Vegetable Lasagna Casserole
• Penne with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic and White Beans
• Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese
• Macaroni and 4 Cheeses
  

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby’s full bio »

Alton's Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese tops just about everyone’s list of favorite comfort foods — and Alton Brown’s version repeatedly tops the list of Food Network’s most popular recipes. It’s easy to see why: It feeds a crowd, and the gooey goodness is so filling. The dish is also easy to lighten up.  Make these few tweaks to make it light enough for a regular indulgence.

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