• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Props
  • Wellness
  • Services
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

    Published: Oct 1, 2015 · Modified: Sep 10, 2024 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

    PinterestFacebookX
    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest Hidden Image

    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese! Your favorite, classic recipe just got a healthy makeover.  Greek yogurt adds protein without sacrificing the creaminess,  while kale adds tons of vitamins and a crunch too.

    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese in a bowl.Pin

    Disclaimer: I was compensated by Dreamfields Healthy Pasta to create this recipe. However, like always, the opinions are entirely my own. Promise 🙂

    I love taking our favorite recipes and lightening them up while still keeping them simple and delicious.  That's why I love Greek yogurt, it's so incredibly versatile and so easy to substitute for higher fat creamy dishes (have you seen The Greek Yogurt Cookbook? 😉 )  

    If you are looking for some more lightened up comfort food recipes, you will love my Healthy Goulash, Easy Baked Ziti, Sweet Potato Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Bowl, Alfredo Spaghetti Squash and definitely this Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup!

    These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!

    Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!

    Why You Should Make This Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

    This healthier twist on mac and cheese is packed with flavor and lighter on fat and calories while adding 16 grams of protein per serving.

    I am proud to partner with Dreamfields Pasta to share this creamy, healthier mac and cheese with you.

    Why Dreamfields?  Dreamfields pasta contains a prebiotic fiber which helps promote healthy digestion as well as helping you feel full longer with 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.  

    Dreamfields is made with premium durum wheat semolina in North Dakota. That’s why it has the same delicious taste and texture of traditional pasta.  

    I love the texture and even passes my picky kids' test!

    If any of you also have picky kids then you that texture can be a deal breaker. Many "healthier" pastas can be a little rubbery or even slimy.

    Thank goodness this has the perfect texture with all of that extra fiber. I can feel good about giving this to my family.

    This Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese doesn't taste nearly as healthy as it is.

    Overhead of Macaroni and Cheese with pasta box above it.Pin

    Recipe Tips

    I am all about keeping my recipes simple and easy.  I don't have the time (or desire) to spend hours cooking elaborate meals for my family.  

    The beauty of this recipe is that Dreamfields elbows take 8 minutes to cook and that's it.  Mix it in the rest of the ingredients, stir and eat.  

    This is one of those dishes I can feed my kids in between driving back and forth to soccer, baseball and flag football and still have time to clean up after.  I topped off this macaroni and cheese with some ground flax seed which gave it a little more texture.  

    You can always add breadcrumbs if you'd like to substitute but ground flax provides extra fiber, protein and omega-3-fatty acids! But again, if you have a picky eater and they might be grossed out by flax and not the breadcrumbs, go for it.

    Overhead picture of pan.Pin

    Related Recipes

    One Pan Salsa Chicken Pasta Bake

    Healthy One Pot Pasta from Erin Lives Whole

    Easy Healthy Mexican Casserole

    Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!

    • Salsa pasta chicken bake in a pan with sliced avocado on top.
      Salsa Pasta Chicken Bake
    • Chicken and Spaghetti in Creamy Avocado Sauce
    • Pasta Primavera
    • The Easiest Baked Ziti
    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese made with Greek yogurt #HealthyPastaMonthPin

    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

    Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese! Your favorite, classic recipe just got a healthy makeover.  Greek yogurt adds protein without sacrificing the creaminess,  while kale adds tons of vitamins and a crunch too.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Main Course, main dish, vegetarian
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 23 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 313kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • 15 ounces elbow macaroni I used Dreamfields elbows
    • 1 ¼ cups finely shredded Cheddar cheese
    • 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
    • ½ cup 2% milk
    • 12 ounces fresh kale
    • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoons ground flax
    • Fresh rosemary

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package directions. Return to pot; do not reheat.
    • Immediately add Cheddar cheese, yogurt, milk and kale to pasta; stir to mix well allowing cheese to melt and kale to wilt.
    • Sprinkle with flaxseed and Parmesan cheese. Garnish with rosemary, if desired.

    Notes

    To store: Place in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4462IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!
    PinterestFacebookX
    « Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars {Easy, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free}
    Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Abby

      February 22, 2024 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      Love the kale addition! A great way to add more nutrients to the dish. So falvorful and yummy.

      Reply
    2. Sha

      February 22, 2024 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      This turned out irresistibly good and delicious! So cheesy, flavorful and pleasing! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Lauren Kelly

        February 22, 2024 at 9:47 am

        Yay!! So happy you loved it too!

        Reply
    3. Meg

      February 22, 2024 at 6:44 am

      5 stars
      This is such an easy delicious recipe. Healthy too. The family loved it. The kids didn't even notice the kale.

      Reply
      • Lauren Kelly

        February 22, 2024 at 9:47 am

        That's a huge win, Meg!

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 12 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lauren! I love creating easy, simple, healthy recipes for you! Many of them are low carb and gluten free, and all of the are delicious!.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Cottage Cheese Egg Bake
    • Protein cookies on a white tray.
      Protein Cookies
    • Broccoli stuffed chicken cut in the middle on a plate.
      Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken
    • Text saying healthy holiday gift guide.
      Holiday Gift Guide- Healthy Edition
    My Newest Cookbook!
    Greek Yogurt Cookbook
    Wheat-Free Cooking!
    Everything Wheat Free Book

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    Lauren Kelly Nutrition is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Copyright © 2021 Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Enter your name and email and get the weekly newsletter... it's FREE!
    LAUREN KELLY NUTRITION
    Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.