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.
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.
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.
Related Recipes
One Pan Salsa Chicken Pasta Bake
Healthy One Pot Pasta from Erin Lives Whole
Easy Healthy Mexican Casserole
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Kale and Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
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.
Abby
Love the kale addition! A great way to add more nutrients to the dish. So falvorful and yummy.
Sha
This turned out irresistibly good and delicious! So cheesy, flavorful and pleasing! Highly recommended!
Lauren Kelly
Yay!! So happy you loved it too!
Meg
This is such an easy delicious recipe. Healthy too. The family loved it. The kids didn't even notice the kale.
Lauren Kelly
That's a huge win, Meg!