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.
Gaylene
I will make Chicken and linguine in olive oil and butter and herbs...
lauren.kelly
Yum!!
Terry Cross
I follow Dreamfields on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest
Terry Cross
The first thing I'd make is spaghetti
lauren.kelly
Smart choice Terry! 🙂
Alexandra robertson
Oh kale yeah! This looks delicious. If I won the first thing I would make with the pasta would be buffalo chicken macaroni because my husband has been craving mac and cheese 🙂 I followed on all social medias too!
Jessica DeMay
I would make the copycat Panera mac and cheese. It's delicious and I make it for my brother regularly.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
I don't think I have ever subbed in Greek yogurt in mac & cheese - I think it needs to be done. This recipe is perfect for this dreary day here in Philly - the perfect comforting dish 🙂
Maureen Tuohy
I love all the ingredients in the recipe you just put together...the Kale Mac and Cheese...this is one I will try for sure. Thanks.
lauren.kelly
Thank you Maureen!
Sandy Headtke
I follow Dreamfields on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
Sandy Headtke
My first dish would be Mac and Cheese. I would use broccoli insread of kale, but I want to try using the yogurt which is a great idea.
lauren.kelly
Yes I bet broccoli would also be delicious in here Sandy!
lynn shriber
My family loves mac and cheese. I've never tried Kale but this recipe looks interesting!
lauren.kelly
You could also use spinach too, Lynn!
Genie
I make one with spinach, portabella mushrooms and shredded carrots. SOOOOO tastyyyyy. Amy's actually has broccoli and kale in so you could use both.
lauren.kelly
That sounds delicious, Genie! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Meg
Mac and cheese
Following on FB
Arman @ thebigmansworld
No the biggest kale fan but swirl it into mac and cheese and I'm game! 😀 Thanks Lauren!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Arman!
Jeffrey
This looks fantastic, my son loves kale...as long as I bake it in the oven. We are actually making mac and cheese tonight and I might go with a broccoli/bacon mixture with Havarti. If I won this prize pack I would make some lasagna!
Jeffrey
I'm following Dreamfields on the four platforms, thanks!
lauren.kelly
Good luck Jeffrey! I love lasagna 🙂
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T
My daughter lives on mac 'n cheese. I think I could slip in kale pretty easily without her having a problem with it. Great idea!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Julie!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Pretty sure this needs to happen for lunch 😉
lauren.kelly
Go for it Rachel, it's super easy!