Lighter Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Lighter Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 12-ounce bag of rice flour penne, such as Bionaturae; 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 shallot (minced); ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 15- ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese; ¼ cup fat-free Greek yogurt; 1 cup about ¼ pound shredded Gruyère or Emmentaler cheese; ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon cayenne; ½ cup oven-toasted rice cereal (such as Chex, crushed); 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

15 MINPrep Time

15 MINCook Time

6Servings

by Giada De Laurentiis

Beginner

Photo Credit: Lauren Volo

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An adaptation of the recipe in my first book, Everyday Italian, this lightened-up version is also gluten free. Greek yogurt gives it the rich, creamy texture of cream and butter without the fat, and the rice cereal adds a boost of fiber and the perfect crunch.

Lighter Macaroni and Cheese

Servings

1 Serving

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Ingredients

1 12-ounce bag of rice flour penne, such as Bionaturae
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot (minced)
½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 15- ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
¼ cup fat-free Greek yogurt
1 cup about ¼ pound shredded Gruyère or Emmentaler cheese
½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne
½ cup oven-toasted rice cereal (such as Chex, crushed)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the broiler to high.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions, just until al dente. Drain well, reserving 1/3 cup of pasta water for the sauce.
Heat a 3-quart ovenproof pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and shallots and cook, stirring often, until the shallots have softened and are translucent. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Turn off the heat and add the ricotta, yogurt, shredded Gruyère, thyme, salt, cayenne, and reserved pasta water. Whisk until combined. Add the cooked pasta and fold into the sauce until it is well coated.
In a small bowl, mix the crushed rice cereal with the Parmesan. Sprinkle the mixture over the pasta and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown on top and bubbly.

Nutrition

Nutrition Serving Size: 1 Serving
per serving: Calories; 369

Amount/Serving % Daily Value

Fat: 27.3 grams; 42%
Saturated Fat: 15.2 grams; 76%
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 79.9 milligrams; 27%
Sodium: 587.3 milligrams; 24%
Carbs: 10.1 grams; 3%
Fiber: 0.5 grams; 2%
Sugar: 1.6 grams
Protein: 20.9 grams; 42%
Iron: 0.7 milligrams; 7%
Potassium: 144.8 milligrams; 3%

gluten free

nut free

vegetarian

1 comment

Karen Zamora - Jun 08

Super easy and delicious… I made the mac and cheese this weekend and everyone loved it.. I had a lil leftovers and took to work on Monday and everyone was "your food smells amazing " definitely making it again… thanks Giada