• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

PB + P Design

Home and Garden

  • About
    • My Weight Loss Story
    • My Beloved Doodles
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars and Brownies
    • Beef
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes, Cupcakes, and Donuts
    • Coffee and Frappes
    • Cookies and Biscotti
    • Crockpot
    • Dessert
    • Dips and Spreads
    • Dog Treats
    • Drinks – Smoothies, Coffee & Cocktails
    • Fruit
    • Granola
    • Holiday
    • Muffins and Scones
    • Pancakes
    • Pasta
    • Peanut Butter
    • Poultry and Pork
    • Salads and Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian and Side Dishes
  • Healthy Living Tips & Goals
  • Garden, Plants & Flowers
  • DIY
  • Home Decor
  • Awards & Features
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese

September 30, 2014 By Jennifer @ PB and P Design 3 Comments

Hi everyone,

I have to admit to you I have been in the mood for some comfort food.  It’s kind of gloomy out and when the clouds appear I am in the mood for cozy.  So today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite comfort foods, homemade mac & cheese.  No, not the stuff in the blue box, but the stuff made with milk and real cheese.

Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese
This macaroni and cheese, is creamy, flavorful, full of cheesy flavor and ohhh, weeeeee I love it! I of course lightened it up a little bit because after all this girl is trying to watch her waistline.
Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese
To lightened it up I used non-fat milk and reduced fat cream cheese to thicken it up, but I did use full fat sharp medium cheddar cheese for the star of this dish. I debated about using reduced fat cheddar cheese, but I really wanted a cheesy, real flavor. Sometimes you do need to splurge. After making this dish, I came to the conclusion what traditional mac and cheese is for calories, and I think it can be kind of scary.  So thank goodness I came up with this recipe.
Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese
This recipe makes 6 servings at about 1 1/2 cups, which is simply perfect. It’s very filling and makes for a wonderful side dish or as a main dish if you’re having it for lunch. After making this dish I also realized how you can really zip it up. If you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese, I bet a spicy pepper jack cheese would be fantastic and maybe throw in some jalapenos and maybe even some chicken. You know my mind is spinning with all of the possibilities.
Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese

Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese
 
Save Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
15 mins
 
Creamy, cheesy, quick, lightened up homemade macaroni and cheese.
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 cups uncooked medium elbow macaroni
  • 3 tbsp whole what pastry flour or all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2¼ cups fat-free milk
  • ¼ cup ⅓-less-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese, I used medium sharp cheddar
Instructions
  1. Cook noodles according to direction. Once cooked, drain, rinse with cold water, set aside.
  2. While noodles are cooking, start the cheese sauce. In a large pot add flour, salt and pepper, stir in milk. Drop in cream cheese a teaspoon at a time; whisking until melted, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in cheddar cheese, until melted. Taste test it, I felt I needed to add a pinch more salt & pepper. Add cooked noodles to cheese sauce and mix until combined.
Notes
Calories per 1½ cups: 361, Fat: 10, Cholesterol: 29, Sodium: 227, Potassium: 147, Carbs: 49, Fiber: 2, Sugar: 7, Protein: 17
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1½ cups
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
3.5.3251

Lightened Up Macaroni and Cheese
I have to admit as a kid I never liked homemade mac and cheese. It had to be the box stuff. I didn’t even like Velveeta mac and cheese, but as I got older I really appreciated homemade mac and cheese. I mean nothing really compares to the homemade kind. So next time you’re looking for a side dish and craving cheese like I do all the time, whip up some stove top mac and cheese, you won’t be disappointed.

Have a great day!

Toodles,


Jennifer

Filed Under: Pasta, Vegetarian and Side Dishes Tagged With: cheese, macaroni, side dish, Vegetarian

You might also love

  • Classic Macaroni Salad
  • Caramelized Herb Roasted Carrots
  • Caramelized Butternut Squash
  • Zucchini Pepper Stir-Fry
Pork and Apple Shish Kabobs »
« Yum Yum Wednesday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristi @ MSFK says

    October 2, 2014 at 1:54 AM

    OOOHH I would love some of this right now!!! Looks great 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sammie Jo says

    January 18, 2016 at 10:32 PM

    Wonderful texture and flavor without velveeta. Reheats smooth. This was delicious and so easy to make. Makes a bigger batch than I was expecting.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says

      January 19, 2016 at 4:56 PM

      Thank you so much! I am so glad you like it! It’s one of my favorites. I make it all of the time.

      Reply

Feel free to leave a comment :) Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

logo
Food Advertisements by

Featured Recipes

Pumpkin Bread

Valentine’s Day Tablescape

Preserving Pumpkins

Classic Macaroni Salad

Spring into Summer Tablescape

Archives

CATEGORIES

logo
Food Advertisements by

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Hello Wednesday! Let me tell you we have had some Hello Wednesday! Let me tell you we have had some strange weather here in California. It’s feeling like winter with high winds, sprinkles and cool temps. 
🍋
To add some cheer to my sliding doors to the backyard, I added my reversible porch sign from @krumpetshomedecor. I don’t see any reason why a porch sign is just for the porch? Plus I didn’t want it to get ruined outside. 
🍋
Isn’t it so cute with the raised lettering and the happy lemons. It really goes well with my decor in the living room. Plus what’s fun is when you reverse the sign it’s the patriotic flag, which is perfect for the summer holidays.
🍋
The Krumpets Home Decor porch sign is the deal if the week, plus you get an additional 10% off with code: PBANDP. The link is in my bio.
🍋
Do you have any fun plans for the Summer?
.
.
#krumpetshomedecor #porchsign #porchdecor #walldecor #wallartwork #doordecor #sullytheyellowlab #dogsanddecor #petsanddecor #summerdecor #summerdecorating #summerdecorideas #junew33k3nsfun
Happy Wednesday. I am sharing with you my little o Happy Wednesday. I am sharing with you my little outdoor space with our lounge chairs. Truthfully I wanted to get rid of the lounge chairs as they take up so much room and we never lay on the chaises. However, over the winter my husband made new cushions for the them and I didn’t have the heart to get rid of them. He made the cushions for our dog Samantha who passed away this winter. She loved laying on the lounge chairs. The boys don’t like to sit on them, unless you are on them too. 
☀️
I do like the color combination of this space. It’s relaxing and I just love the Gerbera flowers. I wish I could keep the pillows on them, but my little Sully 🐶loves to tear apart pillows. So the pillows are living in my living room. I’ll bring them back outside if we have guests. 
☀️
Have a wonderful day!
.
.
#alm0stJuned4ys
#outdoorspaces #sunbrella #loungechairs #vmat #chaiselounge #outdoorpatioideas #outdoordecoration #cozyoutdoorspace #outdoorlivingspace #outdoorcushions #loungechairlife #outdoorseating
Hello, hello! Long time no see. Life has been busy Hello, hello! Long time no see. Life has been busy the past month or so, and I haven’t really had much to share with you, but this week I am on vacation so hopefully I can get some content to share. 
💙
I am sharing with you one last look of my blues in my living room, as I plan on adding some yellow. I’d like to say with the warmer weather it’s time for Summer decor, but it has been unseasonably cool here. We are still in the 70’s and windy. Great for the plants, but not me. I need some 80’s. This is just wacky weather!
💙
What’s the weather where you live?
.
.
#starznstrip3zd3kor #consoletable #consoletabledecor #livingroomdecorideas #smallspacestyle #12timbers #livingroomstyling #benchstyling #bluedecor #mediatable
Let’s take it outside! Looking for easy, breezy Let’s take it outside! Looking for easy, breezy and beautiful ideas to update your outdoor spaces? Go take a look at the charming outdoor spaces of each of the accounts below. Each one different, each one full of inspiration!🌷

jennifer @pbandp
taylor @flipping_vintage76
cyndi @mycozyhomeandcoffee
kristy @therosecottagerevival
teri @cozyandcalmliving 
teresa @rusticwarehouse72
jodi @lyndaledrive

My patio area is kind  of an awkward space because we used to have a large pool that we took out a few years ago. We built our space around the pool. So we have lots of odd corners, but it works for us. I really like my backyard.

I went with light cool colors for my backyard space because of the heat and sun. I have always loved the coastal look. I do love to add a pop of color with flowers. Give me all the flowers! 

I hope you check out everyone’s outdoor space. I love this time of year and I can always use more outdoor inspiration. 

#outdoorspaces #targetstylehome #targetstyle #patioideas #patioinspiration #outdoorpatioideas #outdoorliving #outdoorlifestyle #patioseason #patioliving #patiovibes #boutiquerugs #californialiving #outsideliving
Happy Wednesday! My friend Kelly @farmtotablecreat Happy Wednesday! My friend Kelly @farmtotablecreations made a gorgeous DIY Tabletop Firepit and I had to run out and got all the pieces to make one of my own. Kelly’s is so gorgeous and fun. Perfect for evenings outside.
🩵
However, when I started to make mine I realized that my dogs are to interested in it, as you can see from the video. I was afraid they would try to get close to the fire and burn themselves. So I came up with another idea, where I could get the same effect without the fire.
🩵
A couple weeks ago my friend Claire @huntersridge_designs shared some solar candles that I thought were pretty, and would be great to use on my table. I’m a sucker for anything solar. 😂 So of course I ordered some. I decided to use the solar candles in my pot in place of the tiki fire. I think it turned out great. I just need to add a few more rocks to it, which I’ll get this weekend.
🩵
Be sure to check out Kelly @farmtotablecreations to see her firepit and also check out how Claire @huntersridge_designs styled her solar candles. Both of there accounts are inspiring.
🩵
Have a wonderful day!! 
.
.
#bring0nthaysunshin3 #outdoordiy #easyfirepits #outdoordecor #solarcandles #solarpower #outdooraccents #diyfirepit #outdoorliving #bhghome #outdoorlivingspaces #patiodecor
Happy Wednesday! I have spent so much time working Happy Wednesday! I have spent so much time working outside that I have not worked on decorating my dining room for Mother’s Day or Spring. It’s a bare slate as of right now. So I thought I would share with you last years tablescape that I did for Mother’s Day.
💗
This Mother’s Day,(Saturday) little Jenny is taking me to the @gratoncasino to get a pedicure and possibly lounge at the pool, if it is warm enough outside. Then we will go for a nice lunch. I can’t wait. Sunday, I’ll spend Mother’s Day with the boys. 🐶🐶
💗
Hope you have a fabulous day!! 
.
.
#m4yd4ysrgre4td4ays 
#tablescapestyling  #springtablescape #sullytheyellowlab #tablescapeideas #diningroomtabledecor #dogsndecor #mothersdaytablescape #tablestyling #tablesetting #diningroomtable #smallspaces #targetstyle
Happy Monday! I’ve had a semi-productive weekend Happy Monday! I’ve had a semi-productive weekend in between the rain and cold. It was pretty chilly to me. I did get some plants planted and my husband added a new drip line in my big garden. Hopefully my flowers will thrive better this year. 
🌷
On Friday, I watched 3 episodes of Firefly Lane on Netflix. If you like girl type series, I highly recommend. It’s so well written. It’s about best friends growing older together. Unfortunately this is the last of the series. I’ll miss it. I also read that Yellowstone will come back in November and that will be the end of the series. I’ll miss that show. At least I have Virgin River to look forward too. My husband likes Virgin River too.
🌷
Anyway, here is a view of my clean kitchen. I put together this little vignette for Mother’s Day inspiration. I love the Italian Soda from Trader Joe’s, but boy does it give me bad heartburn. I always just drink a little. Actually, anything sparkling, except regular soda, gives me heartburn. So strange. 
🌷
Have a great week!
.
.
#cleankitchen #kitchenvignette #traderjoessoda #kitchenstyling #kitchenstyles #vignettestyling #vignetteswelove #mothersdaydecor #williamssonoma #thevintagehomestudio #carlylovestulips #traderjoesflowers
Happy Saturday! Wow I haven’t shared on a Saturd Happy Saturday! Wow I haven’t shared on a Saturday in forever. Today we are getting rain again. Last week it was 90 and sunny and now back to the 60’s, but we are going to hit 90 by next weekend. I can’t wait. I’m over this wacky weather we are having. 
💙
I took down my Easter decor a few weeks ago and went back to using blues and greens in the living room. I think the colors look fresh and clean. Once the weather gets nicer, I’ll start to add in some yellows. I love yellow for the summer.
💙
Next weekend is Mother’s Day. Do you have any plans for the holiday?
💙
Have a wonderful weekend! 
.
PS. @krumpetshomedecor is having 40% off their whole site. Biggest sale I have seen, plus you get an additional 10% off with code: PBANDP. Link in bio. 
.
#m4yd4ysrtheb3st #krumpetshomedecor #12timbers #livingroomdecorideas #blueandgreendecor #livingroomstyling #consoletabledecor #samueltheyellowlab #dogsanddecor #smalllivingroom #livingroomdecorating
Happy Wednesday! I am so excited to share with you Happy Wednesday! I am so excited to share with you how I styled @myclaireburke pieces that I received. Let me tell you I love Claire Burke. I have been using there products for more than 25 years.
💗
In my 20’s, I used to go to Macy’s with my mom and in the bedding department they had a section of Claire Burke. I always bought there Original Scent potpourri. It smells like spring flowers with roses and lavender and it’s also beautiful to look at.
💗
If you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift, I highly recommend. I love the Original scent, if you like a floral scent. If you are more for fresh clean scent, the Sea Salt and Grapefruit is amazing. If you like fresh linen I recommend Wild Cotton. I promise they won’t disappoint. Oh and the Electric Fragrance Warmer is also Claire Burke. Works fabulous! 
💗
My Claire Burke ships fast too! They were kind enough to give my followers a 20% discount code: PBANDP.
💗
Have a beautiful day!!
.
.
#myclaireburke #potpourri #candles #waxmelts #mothersdaygiftideas #mothersdaygiftidea #homefragranceproducts #stylingmyhome #womansgifts #bathroomdecor #handsoaps #elegantstyles #livingroomdecorideas #bathroomdecorideas #l0veltm4yd4ays
Happy Monday! This weekend I was finally able to g Happy Monday! This weekend I was finally able to get outside and work on my patio space, but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy it this week. We are back to winter temps, high winds and rain. They are calling it “May Gray”. Such weird weather this year. 
🌼
I was able to put out my new rug that you all helped me to pick out. I just love the blue. I decided to go with blues and yellows for my outdoor space. I think the yellow brightens up the space. I just need to get more flowers because after all you can never have too many flowers. 
🌼
I wanted to also share with you my new side table from @vicllax_outdoor. I love the white color. It really helps to brighten this space. The table is made of metal, comes in 4 colors and is easy to put together. This table is perfect for a small space too. I couldn’t be happier. 
🌼
Have you setup your patio space yet?
.
.
#vicllax #outdoorpatio #outdoorpatiofurniture #boutiquerugs #outdoorspaces #patiosideas #patiofurniture #porchdecor #outdoorstyling #deckdecor #outdoortable #outdoorsetting #bayareaoutdoors
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · PB + P Design · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy

Go to mobile version
 

Loading Comments...