Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese
Servings: 12
Calories: 268kcal
This Healthy Mexican Mac and Cheese recipe is creamy, hearty, and SUPER cheesy with delicious Mexican flavor throughout! It doesn't taste lightened up for one second! A true family favorite! No doubt will this one become a staple in your house too!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. 99% lean ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion (120g) diced
- 1/2 large green bell pepper (130g) diced
- 1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 4.5-oz. can diced green chilies
- 3 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 16 oz. elbow noodles dry
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups broth you can use beef, chicken or vegetable broth
- 8- oz. low fat cream cheese cubed
- 1 cup low fat shredded Mexican/cheddar cheese (112g
Instructions
- Place peppers, onions, and ground turkey in a large pot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cook on medium-high heat until the turkey is browned and the onions are tender.
- Add taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, water, and broth. Allow liquid to boil then reduce to low heat.
- Stir in the pasta and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and liquid has reduced down. Note there should be a little of the liquid left for creamy macaroni and cheese but not a lot. Pasta cooking times will vary. Cook until most (but not all) of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add in the cream cheese and shredded cheese and stir until melted.
Notes
To make gluten-free: use gluten-free noodles of choice.
To make dairy-free: use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free shredded cheese.
Want to switch out the protein? Sub the ground turkey for ground beef, ground chicken or plant-based ground beef.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/12 of recipe (246g) | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 20.8g | Fat: 5.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 5.9g