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.
sarah k
I really like kale chips and would like to include more darker greens like it in my diet, I think this would be a good recipe to start with:)
lauren.kelly
I hope you like it Sarah!
Satine
I only like kale 2 ways. One is in a Tuscan Salad, and the other is this recipe. It's healthy, filling, and tastes great! Thank you for sharing!
Lauren Kelly
Thanks so much, so happy you liked it!
shelly peterson
I follow Dreamfields on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson
Normally I like to make stuffed pasta shells but they don't have that type of pasta so I would make Mac N Cheese.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Madonna
Its cool and rainy today so puts me in the mind to make soup. I would make a veggie pasta soup dish.
lauren.kelly
That sounds delicious!!
lisa
First thing I'd make is our family favorite--homemade macaroni & cheese. We try different cheese combos, but I've never tried kale in there. Will do!
lauren.kelly
Homemade mac and cheese is the best Lisa!
Jennifer Essad
the first recipe I'd make from the website would be the Penne Mediterranean Delight Salad
lauren.kelly
That sounds amazing Jennifer!
Natasha
Yum!!! Mac and cheese for sure.... Love making it with squash, spinach and garlic. 🙂
lauren.kelly
That sounds fantastic Natasha!
Amy S
This sounds fantastic! I also love the idea of cauliflower Mac and cheese on their site. 🙂
lauren.kelly
Oh that does sound delicious Amy!
LaTanya
I want to try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza Mac & Cheese
lauren.kelly
Sounds delicious!
Helen
I love to use the spaghetti noodles with browned butter and mizithra cheese.
lauren.kelly
Yummy!
Emily Smith
I would love to make my grandma's spaghetti recipe!
lauren.kelly
That's awesome Emily!
Lila
I am so thankful for Dreamfields Pasta! I had completely given up eating pasta because I have to restrict my carbs. Now its the only pasta I buy,and it tastes great! I will be making the yummy macN cheese w/kale tomorrow for lunch. Thanks so much for all the recipes.
lauren.kelly
I am so happy to hear that Lila!
Angela
OOh, I love mac and cheese, but my honey doesn't care for it. I will be making this the next week when he doesn't plan to make it home for dinner! I also love kale and plain greek yogurt. What a great idea to use them to make mac and cheese even better!
lauren.kelly
Thank you for stopping by Angela! I hope you enjoy it!
Cecille
I would totally make this kale mac & cheese if I won! I am so thankful I came across your blog just by following Dreamfield!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Cecille! Good luck 🙂
David
I follow Dreamfields on facebook as David Lintz and on pinterest and instagram as 1froglegs