Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese: Comfort Food at Its Best
This is a fabulously rich, mac and cheese. Using a store-bought container of light Alfredo sauce not only makes this come together really quickly, it transforms ordinary mac and cheese into extraordinary! To keep it skinny and still taste cheesy, I’ve added a combination of fat-free ricotta cheese and a small amount of flavorful Parmesan cheese. The ricotta melts into this dreamy dish. Each serving has 263 calories and 7 grams of fat.
Why You'll Love My Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese!
Craving the ultimate comfort food – creamy, cheesy mac and cheese – but looking for a lighter, healthier way to enjoy it? Look no further than Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese! This delightful dish delivers all the rich, satisfying flavors and textures you love, without the heavy cream and excessive calories of traditional Alfredo. Imagine tender pasta coated in a luscious, cheesy sauce that's both creamy and flavorful, offering the ultimate comfort food experience with a fraction of the guilt. It's a fantastic way to satisfy those mac and cheese cravings while staying on track with your health goals. Whether you're seeking a lighter alternative to a classic favorite, following a specific diet, or simply want a healthier and easier version, this guilt-free Alfredo mac and cheese is a dream come true. Say goodbye to heavy, calorie-laden mac and cheese and hello to a creamy, cheesy, and wonderfully guilt-free indulgence!Ingredients For Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese
Let's explore the key ingredients that come together to create the creamy and satisfying Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese, highlighting their unique contributions to flavor, texture, and healthier profile:Whole Grain Elbows Pasta or Penne (2⅓ cups dry, uncooked): This provides the hearty and nutritious base of our mac and cheese. Opting for whole grain pasta over traditional white pasta significantly increases the fiber content, which aids in digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. Its slightly nutty flavor and satisfying texture hold the creamy sauce beautifully, making for a more wholesome and substantial dish.Reduced-Fat Butter or Smart Balance Light (1 tablespoon): A small amount of reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light spread adds a touch of richness and helps to sauté the garlic, infusing the dish with a subtle buttery flavor without the high fat content of traditional butter. These lighter alternatives contribute to the overall creamy texture of the sauce.Fresh Garlic, Minced (1 teaspoon): The pungent and aromatic flavor of fresh minced garlic is a cornerstone of many delicious sauces, including our guilt-free Alfredo. Its sharp, savory notes add depth and complexity to the creamy cheese sauce, providing a delightful contrast to the richness of the dairy.Classico Light Alfredo Sauce (15 oz jar): This store-bought light Alfredo sauce is a convenient and calorie-conscious way to achieve that classic creamy Alfredo flavor without the heavy cream and high fat content of traditional versions. It provides a smooth, cheesy base with the quintessential Alfredo taste, making this recipe quick and easy to prepare.Fat-Free Ricotta Cheese (1 cup): This creamy cheese is the secret ingredient to achieving a luscious and satisfyingly thick Alfredo sauce without relying on heavy cream. Fat-free ricotta adds a wonderful creaminess and a subtle sweetness while being significantly lower in fat and calories, making it a healthier alternative that doesn't compromise on texture.Fat-Free Milk (½ cup): Fat-free milk helps to thin out the ricotta cheese and the light Alfredo sauce, creating a smooth and pourable sauce that coats the pasta evenly. It adds moisture and contributes to the overall creamy consistency without adding significant fat or calories.Black Pepper (to taste): A simple yet essential seasoning that adds a touch of warmth and a subtle peppery bite to the creamy sauce. Freshly ground black pepper enhances the overall flavor profile and provides a pleasant contrast to the richness of the cheese.Parmesan Cheese, Grated (¼ cup): This hard, salty cheese adds a concentrated burst of savory and nutty flavor that is characteristic of Alfredo sauce. Grated Parmesan melts beautifully into the sauce, contributing to its cheesy richness and providing a distinct umami element.Scallions or Fresh Chives, minced for garnish (optional): These fresh, delicate herbs provide a vibrant green color and a mild oniony or garlicky flavor that adds a lovely finishing touch to the mac and cheese. They offer a subtle freshness that complements the creamy sauce and adds visual appeal to the dish.Step-by-Step Guide to Easy, Skinny Alfredo Mac and Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Hearty Pasta Base- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Begin by cooking 2⅓ cups (dry, uncooked) of whole grain elbow macaroni or penne pasta according to package directions, but aim for an "al dente" texture, which typically takes about 6-7 minutes. This means the pasta should be cooked through but still have a slight firmness to the bite. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy in the final dish. There's no need to add salt to the cooking water, as the sauce will provide ample flavor.
- Drain and Rinse: Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, immediately drain it in a colander. Then, rinse the drained pasta thoroughly with cold water. This step helps to stop the cooking process, preventing the pasta from overcooking and becoming sticky.
- Drain Again: After rinsing, ensure the pasta is drained again as thoroughly as possible to remove excess water. This will allow the creamy Alfredo sauce to coat the pasta effectively.
- Melt the Flavor Base: In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light spread over medium heat.
- Bloom the Garlic: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this will result in a bitter taste. Sautéing the garlic in butter infuses the sauce with its delicious aroma and flavor.
- Combine the Creamy Elements: Over medium heat, pour in 1 (15 oz) jar of Classico Light Alfredo Sauce, 1 cup of fat-free ricotta cheese, and ½ cup of fat-free milk into the pan with the garlic butter.
- Blend Until Smooth: Stir the sauce ingredients together continuously until they are well blended and the mixture is smooth and creamy. The ricotta cheese will melt into the Alfredo sauce, creating a richer and thicker consistency without the need for heavy cream.
- Incorporate the Pasta: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the creamy sauce in the pan. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated with the luscious Alfredo sauce.
- Season Simply (Optional): If desired, add a little freshly ground black pepper to taste. This simple seasoning enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Heat Through: Cook the mac and cheese over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and the sauce is bubbly and coats the pasta well.
- Stir in the Parmesan: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the Parmesan is melted and fully incorporated into the sauce, adding its signature salty and nutty flavor.
- Portion and Serve: Spoon approximately 1 cup of the Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese into each serving bowl.
- Garnish for Freshness (Optional): If desired, sprinkle a little minced scallions or fresh chives over the top of each serving for a pop of color and a subtle oniony or garlicky flavor.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Serve with a salad and you’re set. Try my Super Low Calorie Caesar Salad on a Stick.
Serve with a salad and you’re set. Try my Super Low Calorie Caesar Salad on a Stick.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 6 servings (1 cup each)
Healthy Benefits
I love the fiber-rich whole grain pasta available in the supermarket today. Barilla Whole Grain Elbows contains 6 grams of fiber for a 2 ounce serving!
Shopping Tips
I used Classico Light Alfredo Sauce for this recipe. It’s shelf stable and found in the pasta sauce aisle. There are other brands available, if you can’t find this one. There are several brands of whole grain or whole wheat small pasta that will work for this recipe. I used Barilla Whole Grain Elbows pasta. It looks like a macaroni shell. You could also use a whole grain or whole wheat penne or rigatoni pasta, if desired.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 8-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green
Healthy Benefits
I love the fiber-rich whole grain pasta available in the supermarket today. Barilla Whole Grain Elbows contains 6 grams of fiber for a 2 ounce serving!
Shopping Tips
I used Classico Light Alfredo Sauce for this recipe. It’s shelf stable and found in the pasta sauce aisle. There are other brands available, if you can’t find this one. There are several brands of whole grain or whole wheat small pasta that will work for this recipe. I used Barilla Whole Grain Elbows pasta. It looks like a macaroni shell. You could also use a whole grain or whole wheat penne or rigatoni pasta, if desired.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 8-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 cup serving 263 calories, 7g fat, 3g sat. fat, 36mg chol,13g prot, 39g carbs, 5g fiber, 497mg sodium, 6g sugar |
Easy, Guilt-Free Alfredo Mac and Cheese: Comfort Food at Its Best
Ingredients
- 2⅓ cups (dry, uncooked) Whole Grain Elbows pasta or penne, see shopping tips
- 1 tablespoon reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) jar Classico Light Alfredo Sauce, see shopping tips
- 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
- ½ cup fat-free milk
- A little black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Scallions or fresh chives, minced for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente (for about 6-7 minutes so it will not be overcooked). No need to add salt to water. Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain again.
- In a large pan, melt the butter. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Over medium heat, add in the Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, and milk. Mix until well blended. Stir in cooked pasta. Add a little pepper, if desired. Heat for a few minutes until hot. Stir in Parmesan cheese and mix well.
- Spoon 1 cup serving into each bowl. Top with little scallions or chives, if desired.
- Leftovers freeze great.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 13gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 497mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gBlue Smart Points: 8Green Smart Points: 8Plus Points: 7
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Hi Nancy – This recipe really appeals to me but I live alone. You usually say if a recipe can be frozen and I’m hopeful that this is one that can be! My other option is to make half the recipe and use the two leftover portions during the week but that would be my second option.
Love all your recipes – I always check your site when I do my weekly planning and there isn’t one that I wouldn’t make again!ne
First Jane, thanks so much for the kinds words! It makes me very happy to hear you are enjoying my recipes. Yes this mac and cheese freezes great. I just added this tip to the recipe.
Enjoy!
My very best,
Nancy
Hi Nancy – thank you so much for your quick response – this yummy sounding is now on my menu plan for the next week. I’m in for a really busy couple of weeks so it is good to know that I will have leftovers to look forward to during that time. You certainly make my life easy!
Regards
Jane
That’s why I do what I do. I love to make being in the kitchen easy, fun and healthy. Many thanks Jane!
Best of luck with whatever you’re doing,
Nancy