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Creamy and comforting, this low-calorie Broccoli Bacon Macaroni and Cheese is homemade guilt-free comfort food at its best.
While many restaurant versions have between 400 and 700 calories, up to 30 grams of fat and 15 WW Points, or more per serving, this enlightened mac and cheese is made better with the addition of broccoli and bacon and comes in at just over 200 calories per serving!
How Many Calories and WW Points in Broccoli Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Made Lighter?
According to my calculations, each generous 1-cup serving size has about 215 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
How to Make Skinny Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Broccoli?
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Step 2: Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding the broccoli florets for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain well and add the pasta and broccoli back in the pot.
Step 3: Prepare the cheese sauce while the pasta cooks. In a small saucepan, combine evaporated milk, chicken broth, cornstarch, dry mustard, garlic salt, onion powder and black pepper. Over medium heat, whisk occasionally until mixture comes to a low bowl and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until smooth.
Step 4: Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and broccoli mixture
and stir until evenly coated. Rewarm pasta over low heat if needed.
Step 5: Either stir in, or top with, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, sprinkle with bacon bits and serve.
Step 6: Store any leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes, Substitutions and Variations
Elbow macaroni works best in this recipe because it captures all the creamy goodness of the cheese sauce. But if don’t have elbows, try any short cylindrical pasta like ziti, rigatoni, or corkscrew shapes like fusilli.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy and comforting mac and cheese makes a great side to go along with Crispy Chicken Tenders, Baked Chicken, Hawaiian Kalua Pork, Slow Cooker Pork Chops, or Crock Pot Ranch Roast Beef. It also makes a great lunch all by itself!
Ways to Use Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the microwave (affiliate link). Leftovers can be gently reheated in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stovetop.
If you’ve made this lighter macaroni and cheese with broccoli and bacon, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Broccoli Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups large elbow macaroni (can use whole grain)
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3/4 cup low-fat evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-1/4 cups shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 3 tablespoons real bacon bits
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding the broccoli florets for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain well and add the pasta and broccoli back in the pot.
- Prepare the cheese sauce while the pasta cooks. In a small saucepan, combine evaporated milk, chicken broth, cornstarch, dry mustard, garlic salt, onion powder and black pepper. Over medium heat, whisk occasionally until mixture comes to a low bowl and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and broccoli mixture and stir until evenly coated. Rewarm pasta over low heat if needed.
- Either stir in, or top with, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, sprinkle with bacon bits and serve.
- Store any leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) Elbow macaroni works best in this recipe because it captures all the creamy goodness of the cheese sauce. But if don’t have elbows, try any short cylindrical pasta like ziti, rigatoni, or corkscrew shapes like fusilli.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Eat What You Love: Restaurant Favorites (affiliate link) by Marlene Koch
Hi, is the 2 cups of macaroni measured before or after cooking? Thanks, Susan
Hi Susan,
The 2 cups of macaroni are measured before cooking. ~Martha