Fast and Healthy (and Still Yummy) Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

When I decided to change the way we eat from super-rich, calorie- and fat-laden food to healthier fare, I wasn’t willing to give up macaroni and cheese. One of our favorite meals is my stovetop macaroni and cheese, served with some fresh tomatoes and either salad or green beans. It’s also one of those meals I can fall back on when I’ve forgotten an ingredient or the chicken isn’t thawed yet.

So I set out to adapt my recipe to something healthier. I was able to cut out 210 calories per serving (164 of those from fat!), and it tastes just as good — which is really, really good. And it’s still just as quick and easy.

Fast and Healthy (and Still Yummy) Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Healthy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

1 lb of pasta
1 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 Tbs butter
2 eggs
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Start the pasta boiling in salty water. Add a glug of vinegar to keep the pasta from sticking.

In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Don’t let it brown! When it’s melted, turn it down to medium low and stir in the bread crumbs. I also like to add a shake or two of garlic salt at this point. Stir it, and leave it over the heat. Keep an eye on it, stirring it frequently while everything else cooks. When the crumbs are evenly browned, remove them from the heat and let them sit until everything else is cooked.

Dissolve the mustard and cayenne in a tablespoon of water. In a big bowl, beat the eggs with a fork and add 1 cup of the evaporated milk, the dissolved mustard mixture, and the salt and pepper.

When the pasta is done, drain it and return it to the pot. Turn the heat to low. Pour in the evaporated milk/egg mixture and about 2/3 of the cheese. Stir until it’s starting to melt (that’s usually pretty instantly for me) and then add the rest of the evaporated milk from the can and the rest of the cheese. Stir until it’s all melt and gooey and tasty, usually just a minute or so.

Sprinkle each serving with the bread crumbs.

Servings: 8

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 375 calories, 64 calories from fat, 6.8g total fat, 67.9mg cholesterol, 700.4mg sodium, 233.5mg potassium, 49.4g carbohydrates, 4.2g fiber, 8.3g sugar, 24.5g protein.

This makes a great “Meatless Monday” meal. Besides being super fast to make and really easy, it’s easy on the budget, too. I don’t know that I could have stayed with my healthy eating — or could have been thisclose to forty pounds of weight loss! — if I couldn’t have macaroni and cheese once in awhile.

Linked to:

Tasty Tuesday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Tuesdays at the Table