Healthy Ways to Make Your Favorite Mac and Cheese Recipes Good for You

The Many Benefits of Simply Nature Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that nearly everyone loves. With its creamy, cheesy goodness, it's easy to see why it's such a popular dish. However, traditional mac and cheese recipes are often loaded with calories, saturated fat, and sodium. This is where Simply Nature's mac and cheese comes in. Simply Nature offers an organic and natural version of mac and cheese that retains all the tasty flavors but with a healthier nutrition profile. Here's an in-depth look at the many benefits of choosing Simply Nature mac and cheese.

Made with Organic Pasta

One of the biggest benefits of Simply Nature mac and cheese is that it's made with organic pasta. The pasta is made from just three simple ingredients: organic wheat flour, organic egg, and water. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. The organic wheat flour gives the pasta its signature chewy texture and the eggs add protein. Simply Nature's commitment to using organic ingredients means you can feel good about feeding this mac and cheese to your family.

Real, Organic Cheese

Cheese is what makes mac and cheese so irresistible. Simply Nature doesn't cut corners when it comes to the cheese. They use real, organic cheddar and Parmesan cheeses made from organic cow's milk. This gives Simply Nature mac and cheese an authentic, rich cheese flavor. Many boxed mac and cheese products contain powdered cheese made with artificial flavors and colors. With Simply Nature mac and cheese, you can taste the difference that real cheese makes.

Less Saturated Fat

Traditional mac and cheese gets a large percentage of its calories from saturated fat. The cream and full-fat cheese pack on the saturated fat. Simply Nature mac and cheese takes steps to reduce the saturated fat content. The organic cheddar cheese they use is 25% reduced fat, meaning it has less saturated fat than regular cheddar. Simply Nature also uses organic lowfat milk and limits the amount of cream. This helps cut back on artery-clogging saturated fats.

No Artificial Ingredients

Checking the ingredient labels of boxed mac and cheese products can be an eye-opening experience. You'll find all kinds of unhealthy and artificial ingredients like MSG, artificial colors, preservatives, and emulsifiers. Simply Nature mac and cheese contains none of these artificial additives. Their ingredient list features simple, organic ingredients like pasta, cheese, milk, and sea salt. Items you recognize belong in mac and cheese. When your ingredients come straight from nature, you don't need anything artificial.

Lower in Sodium

Sodium is another area where traditional mac and cheese does damage. The copious amounts of cheese plus salt added for flavor make it an extremely high sodium food. Simply Nature mac and cheese contains 45% less sodium than the typical boxed mac and cheese. This makes it a better choice for those watching their sodium intake due to high blood pressure or other health reasons. You still get plenty of cheesy flavor, but with less salt.

Higher in Protein

Simply Nature manages to pack more protein into their mac and cheese than traditional recipes. This is thanks to using two types of real, organic cheese. Cheese is naturally high in protein. So with more cheese included, the protein numbers go up. A one cup serving of Simply Nature mac and cheese contains 6 grams of protein. This helps make it a more balanced and filling meal. The organic pasta also provides some additional protein from the eggs.

Gluten-Free Option Available

Mac and cheese is off limits for those who must eat gluten-free. Simply Nature has solved this problem by producing a gluten-free mac and cheese variety. It's made with gluten-free pasta cooked in a gluten-free sauce. So if you or a family member follows a gluten-free diet, you can now enjoy mac and cheese again thanks to Simply Nature's gluten-free offering.

Kid-Friendly Comfort Food

Let's face it, one of the big draws of mac and cheese is that almost all kids love it. The creamy cheese sauce coating the pasta has an irresistible texture and taste. Simply Nature mac and cheese will please kids' palates just like traditional mac and cheese. Now parents can feel good about feeding this classic kid comfort food. Simply Nature mac and cheese becomes a go-to weeknight meal that kids ask for again and again.

Convenient Prep

Moms and dads love that Simply Nature mac and cheese comes together quickly. All you need to do is boil the pasta and stir in the cheese sauce packet. There's no need for making roux or bechamel sauce from scratch. The organic cheese sauce pouch means easy prep you can do one-handed while wrangling kids with the other. Quick prep and fast cook time gets dinner on the table when you're short on time. Minimizing steps to prepare such a tasty meal is a real win for busy parents.

Different Flavors Available

While traditional and cheddar are popular mac and cheese flavors, it's nice to switch things up sometimes. Simply Nature makes their mac and cheese in other flavors like white cheddar jalapeno and hatch green chili. So you can enjoy different flavor experiences with the same great nutrition profile. Flavors like buffalo or cajun mac and cheese also exist for a spicier option. Trying new flavors keeps mealtimes interesting.

Budget-Friendly Price

Opting for organic, high-quality ingredients typically means paying a higher price. But Simply Nature mac and cheese stays affordable for families. It costs a bit more than generic boxed mac and cheese but less than other organic brands. When you factor in all the nutrition and ingredient upgrades, Simply Nature mac and cheese delivers serious value. It stays reasonably priced to keep this pantry staple accessible to all.

Tips for Making Your Own Healthier Mac and Cheese

While Simply Nature mac and cheese takes the work out of putting together a healthier version, you can also DIY it at home. Here are some easy tips for making mac and cheese healthier when cooking from scratch.

Use Whole Grain Pasta

Upgrading to whole grain pasta instantly boosts the nutrition of mac and cheese. Whole grain pasta retains the fiber from the wheat germ and bran. This adds valuable fiber to make the dish more filling and promote good digestive health. Look for pasta made from 100% whole wheat or other whole grains like quinoa or brown rice.

Load Up on Veggies

Adding veggies to mac and cheese helps give it a nutrition boost. Options like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peas, peppers, or onions work well. You can roast or steam the veggies first before mixing them into the finished mac and cheese. Or simply chop and directly add them to the pasta pot a few minutes before the pasta finishes cooking.

Use Reduced Fat Cheese

Full-fat cheese contributes a ton of saturated fat to mac and cheese. Opting for reduced fat versions of cheddar and other cheeses helps trim some of that fat. Shredded low moisture, part-skim mozzarella is a good choice. Or use equal parts full fat cheese and low fat cheese.

Swap in Greek Yogurt

Fat-free or lowfat plain Greek yogurt can stand in for some of the sour cream or cream called for in cheese sauce recipes. Greek yogurt adds creaminess and protein but not all the saturated fat. Start by subbing in about 1/4 of the full-fat dairy for Greek yogurt.

Enhance Flavor with Mustard

To help reduce sodium, skip adding extra salt to your mac and cheese. Instead enhace flavor by stirring in some mustard. Yellow mustard works well but you can also use Dijon or whole grain mustard. The vinegar tang will offset the richness.

Use Low-Sodium Broth

Many homemade mac and cheese recipes use some chicken or vegetable broth in the cooking liquid. Be sure to use low-sodium versions to keep salt in check. You can boost flavor with herbs and spices instead.

Skip Breadcrumb Topping

A crunchy breadcrumb topping certainly finishes off mac and cheese with flair. But these can pack in carbs, fat, and sodium. Try skipping the breadcrumb topping and use a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chopped parsley to finish it off.

Bake, Don't Fry

Whenever possible, bake mac and cheese in the oven rather than frying on the stovetop with butter or oil. This prevents extra calories from frying fat. Simply transfer finished mac and cheese to a baking dish and bake until hot and bubbly.

An Easy Recipe for The Ultimate Healthier Mac and Cheese

This healthier homemade mac and cheese recipe incorporates all the above suggestions. It cuts back on fat and sodium but keeps the satisfying cheesy flavor. Make it on the weekend and enjoy leftovers during the busy workweek.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole grain elbow pasta
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup lowfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook pasta 2 minutes shy of package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a medium pan, whisk together milk and flour. Heat over medium stirring constantly until thickened to a bechamel sauce.
3. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, and mustard until cheese melts.
4. Add cooked pasta and broccoli to cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 8x8 baking dish.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
6. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with smoked paprika.

This healthier baked mac and cheese is sure to please the whole family. The Greek yogurt and reduced fat cheese cut back on saturated fat. Whole grain pasta and broccoli provide filling fiber. Smoked paprika adds savory flavor without salt. Enjoy this lighter version of a creamy, cheesy classic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is boxed mac and cheese unhealthy?

Traditional boxed mac and cheese is high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, so it's not the healthiest choice. However, brands like Simply Nature offer organic options made with less processed ingredients that cut back on fat, sodium, and artificial additives.

What makes homemade mac and cheese unhealthy?

Full-fat cheese and heavy cream are big contributors to the high amounts of saturated fat in homemade mac and cheese. Using regular white pasta instead of whole grain also reduces the nutrition value. And added sodium from cheese, salt, and broth drives up the salt content.

Does mac and cheese have any nutritional value?

Traditional mac and cheese provides protein, calcium, and some B vitamins from the cheese. Whole grain pasta versions also contribute fiber. Loading mac and cheese with veggies adds vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and potassium. So it can have nutritional value if made with the right ingredients.

Can you make mac and cheese healthy?

Yes, you can make mac and cheese healthier in several ways. Use whole grain pasta, reduced fat cheese, Greek yogurt, lots of veggies, and spices instead of salt. Baking instead of frying prevents extra fat. And sticking to reasonable portion sizes keeps calories in check.

What is the healthiest cheese for mac and cheese?

Some of the healthier cheese options for mac and cheese include part-skim mozzarella, Parmesan, Swiss, feta, and reduced-fat cheddar. Combining full-fat and low-fat cheeses also works well. Go easy on cream cheese, Velveeta, and processed cheese slices.

The Bottom Line

Mac and cheese can be more than junk food if you make it with whole ingredients like Simply Nature uses or employ recipe hacks to boost nutrition. The key is sticking to whole grain pasta, lower fat real cheeses, lots of veggies, and skipping artificial additives. This allows you to enjoy the comfort of cheesy pasta but minus all the extra fat, sodium and preservatives found in the traditional version. With some simple tweaks, mac and cheese can provide a quick, budget-friendly meal that still tastes decadent.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.