Being healthy is important, but it’s not easy. It can be even harder when the realization sets in that some of your favorite foods don’t make the “healthy” list. But being healthy doesn’t mean you have to make sacrifice after sacrifice. Sometimes all you need to do is find a healthy alternative to one of your favorite foods. Like frozen banana ice cream in place of your favorite Ben and Jerry’s, or like the healthy, protein-rich Greek Yogurt Macaroni and Cheese recipe found below instead of your typical homemade, fat-laden macaroni and cheese recipe.
I think this recipe is delicious, and it can be made with whatever type of cheese you prefer (cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack, marble). I will admit that the Greek yogurt does give it a different taste, but I promise it’s not unpleasant. It’s just different. My brother, a VERY picky eater, will even eat this recipe (well, depending on his mood).
First, cook 2 cups of macaroni as directed (which is typically around 8 minutes). When it’s done, drain the noodles and save about ½ cup of the water. Return the noodles to the pan and pour in about ¼ cup of the saved water.
Sprinkle in 2 cups of shredded cheese (your choice of cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack, Colby, etc.), stirring until the cheese is melted. Your will probably get a gooey mess that looks kind of like spider webs, but don’t panic! Just keep stirring.
When it looks like all of the cheese has melted, stir in ½ cup non-fat, plain Greek yogurt. Stir until the yogurt is incorporated. Add the remaining water (this will help get rid of the spider web mess) and desired spices (salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, etc.) and stir until you have a creamy pot of healthy macaroni and cheese. Serve with your favorite side and enjoy!
If you are not a fan of Greek yogurt, you could try using Sour Cream instead, but that would definitely take away the healthy part of this dish. But if you aren’t worried about having a healthy dish, you could also sprinkle crushed up Ritz or Keebler crackers on top and bake it in the over for a few minutes. I have never tried either of these, so if you try them, let me know how they turn out!
Greek Yogurt Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked macaroni
2 cups shredded cheese (your choice, but I usually do half mozzarella and half cheddar)
½ cup non-fat, plain Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper
Desired spices
Directions
Cook the 2 cups of macaroni as directed (typically around 8 minutes). When it’s done, drain the noodles and save about ½ cup of the water. Return the noodles to the pan and pour in about ¼ cup of the saved water. Sprinkle in the 2 cups of shredded cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted. (Your will probably get a gooey mess that looks kind of like spider webs, but don’t panic! Just keep stirring.) When it looks like all of the cheese has melted, add the Greek yogurt and stir until the yogurt is incorporated. Add the remaining water (this will help get rid of the spider web mess) and desired spices (salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, etc.) and stir until you have a creamy pot of healthy macaroni and cheese. Serve and enjoy!
Molly
Head Blogger at A Bibliophile’s View: Fitness, Food, and Faith
I love Greek Yogurt but had never thought of adding it to Mac and Cheese. This looks so creamy and amazing!
It is! It gives it a unique taste.
This sounds so good! I would love to try this soon. My kids love mac n cheese.
And it’s healthier!
That sounds absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to make this for my family! We love mac & cheese.
I do too! It is just so comforting.
I am not a Greek yogurt lover. However, your recipe does look yummy! I do agree it is hard to get foods you love to have a healthy spin to them. I need to eat healthy for my health. I am a type 2 diabetic. I try and add veggies anywhere I can. My family hates veggies. They prefer meat and potatoes. Go figure they are like their dad.
You should still try this…maybe do half Greek Yogurt, half sour cream or something else, just to see if you like it! You could use the low glycemic noodles 🙂 Squish the veggies into hamburgers and don’t tell the kids lol.
I never thought about using yogurt in mac and cheese! What a great, healthy substitution!
It makes it taste so good!
okay now – this I would totally eat! I love me some good old fashioned heart attack mac and cheese – this would sure hit the spot now
It is so good with the Greek yogurt!
I am craving some good ol’ fashioned mac and cheese right now, and this looks wonderful. I could probably eat this for a week straight.
I agree! Nothing says comfort food like mac and cheese.
Greek yogurt is my favorite kind of yogurt and I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. I just found one. Mac and cheese is a family favorite and I’m sure my family will enjoy your recipe. Looks delicious.
Thanks! We love it!
This looks tasty. I’ve never tried adding yogurt to my mac and cheese. I’m sure it’s even better because it’s creamier.
It is so good! It’s got a unique flavor.
We use a lot of Greek yogurt in our home but never thought of using in Mac and Cheese. Will have to share this recipe with my wife.
Enjoy it! It is yummy!
Our son is a sucker for mac and cheese, but I’ve never tried preparing one with Greek Yogurt. I think he will like that. Thanks for the recipe.
I hope he likes it! It really is a great addition in my opinion!
This looks super good. Would love to give it a try, I wouldn’t ever think to use greek yogurt in macaroni and cheese!
It is so yummy!
Wow, I’ve never tried yoghurt with mac and cheese! This is the first time I’m hearing about it. Sounds very interesting… I’m so curious about the taste.
It is really unique and yummy!
I’m definitely one of those cooks who has jumped on the Greek yogurt bandwagon. And mac and cheese in one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing – this looks and sounds awesome!
It is so good!
This sounds so good. I would have to hide the evidence of adding yogurt to it. I love yogurt but my husband isn’t a fan.
LOL well, maybe you could add like half that and half sour cream…if he likes that!
Ok I am a Mac and cheese lover and never would of thought of this combo! Totally going to have to give it a try next time I make Mac and cheese!
Let me know how you like it!
I’m game for trying anything once! I’ve tried the Greek Yogurt substitution before in another recipe and for me, it was, meh! But because this is also allowing your favorite cheese, I can imagine it could be quite tasty!
It does give it that extra tang! I want to try this with pepper jack cheese sometime!
Never thought of adding greek yogurt to mac and cheese. We all love mac and cheese. Can’t wait to have my hubby make this for us since he does all our cooking.
I think it gives it such a unique taste! I love it.
This is such a great idea! I love greek yogurt and I love mac n cheese, so this is the perfect combo!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Enjoy it!
Delicious and easy to make! I will have to try this recipe. Greek Yogurt in Mac and Cheese sounds yummy to me!
It is!
I have never thought of using greek yogurt in mac and cheese but really, this is such a great idea! I’m definitely trying it!
It makes it very yummy!
I have NEVER heard of anything like this before! What a great way to spice up regular mac and cheese!
It is so good!
I do this all the time to add some extra protein to the dish. My kids love it even though it tastes a bit different. It’s still creamy and rich but I think it add a bit of a tang to the mac and cheese.
I love how it gives it that tang!