Is Mac and Cheese Whole Grain? Simple Ways to Make It Healthier and More Filling!

Okay, here is my sharing about whether mac and cheese is whole grain:

So, the other day I was craving some good ol’ mac and cheese. You know, the ultimate comfort food. But I’m trying to eat a bit healthier these days, so I thought, “Hmm, can I make this classic dish a little better for me?” That’s when I started wondering if mac and cheese could actually be considered whole grain. I mean, it’s made with pasta, right?

First, I grabbed the box of mac and cheese from my pantry. I flipped it over and started reading the ingredients list. Turns out, most regular mac and cheese brands use regular enriched pasta, which isn’t whole grain. Bummer. But I wasn’t giving up that easily. I remembered seeing “whole wheat” versions of pasta at the grocery store. I dashed to the store, hoping they’d have some whole wheat macaroni. Luckily, they did!

I picked up a box of whole wheat elbow macaroni and some other goodies. I also grabbed some low-fat milk and a mix of low-fat cheeses. I figured I could also sneak in some veggies to make it even healthier. I chose some broccoli and cauliflower because they go well with cheese sauce, right?

Back home, I started by cooking the whole wheat pasta according to the instructions on the box. While that was going, I steamed the broccoli and cauliflower until they were tender-crisp. Next up, the cheese sauce. Instead of the usual butter and flour, I made a lighter sauce using low-fat milk. I added some shredded cheddar and a little bit of Parmesan for flavor. Also added some garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Some people may like to add sour cream, but I don’t. Oh, and to make it extra creamy, I stirred in a dollop of low-fat cream cheese.

• Cooked whole wheat pasta
• Steamed broccoli and cauliflower
• Made a lighter cheese sauce with low-fat milk, cheddar, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper
• Added a dollop of low-fat cream cheese for creaminess

Once the pasta was cooked, I drained it and added it to the cheese sauce. Then I folded in the steamed veggies. I gave everything a good mix, making sure the pasta and veggies were nicely coated with that cheesy goodness.

My result

And there you have it! My healthier, whole grain mac and cheese. It still tasted super cheesy and comforting, but I felt way better about eating it knowing it had some extra fiber and nutrients. Plus, the veggies added a nice little crunch. So, to answer my original question: yes, mac and cheese can be made with whole grains! You just gotta use whole wheat pasta instead of the regular kind. It’s a simple swap that makes a big difference. I’ll keep on doing this next time.