Ohhh my gosh you guys, I just had the BEST dinner! I was zipping around the ‘net today and stumbled on an amazing recipe for macaroni and cheese…with bacon…and it’s healthy…it’s Cooking Light’s Bacon Mac!
This recipe is way healthier than your standard Mac ‘n’ Cheese because it uses the following:
- Whole wheat pasta
- 1 slice of center-cut bacon
- Skim Milk
- NO BUTTER!
That’s right – there isn’t a drop of butter in this recipe, yet it’s one of the most decadent Mac ‘n’ Cheese dishes I’ve ever had. Let’s dig in 
First thing’s first – I served my Bacon Mac with some Oven Roasted Broccoli.
I laid out a package of the Dole pre-cut & pre-washed broccoli crowns onto a baking sheet and gave them a mist of extra virgin olive oil. Have you ever seen these misters? You pour your oil of choice in, pump the top and then you’re able to mist whatever it is you’re cooking instead of having to pour.
I misted the crowns with EVOO, sprinkled on some garlic salt and roasted them for ~15 minutes @ 400 degrees. They came out all hot, crispy and garlicky.
Even though it’s hotter than blazes out – I braved the hot oven for this broccoli because it is that.good. Roasted veggies – nay, roasted garlic veggies – are always worth the braving the heat.
Now this FAB MAC! I halved this recipe, and used onion powder instead of onions, because Ben doesn’t dig onions – and I’m a good wife 
First you make the cheese sauce while the pasta is cooking. Then you combine and pour into a shallow baking dish.
Top with cheddar cheese & broil until golden brown & bubbly. I used Tillamook Cheese for both the sauce and the topping.
Bacon Mac without all the fat is FABULOUS! I’m going to go out on a limb and proclaim this as ranking in the Top 3 Mac ‘n’ Cheese dishes I’ve ever had…
Ughhh the broiled cheese topping was perfection.
Look at the creaminess – and there was NO BUTTER in this sauce! A tiny bit of flour, some skim milk and a modest amount of cheddar cheese – that’s it!
I’ve always been really intimidated by cream sauces, in fact this is the first one I’ve ever made, but honestly it couldn’t have been easier. I promise you! Try this recipe! 
Dessert = Australian Licorice…
I learned my lesson from Monday night and portioned out my pieces, then bravely put the container away. This licorice is ah-may-zing. Amazing!
Well I have been waiting a long time for this day to come…Tyra finally got her act together and opened America’s Next Top Model to short people! It’s true – this season features girls that are 5’7 and UNDER! Holla!! Can’t wait to watch that crazy cat and the new season in the premiere tonight!
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Do you like Macaroni & Cheese? Let’s go old school – Kraft or Velveeta???
Mmmmm when push comes to shove…Velveeta Shells take the cake…
Oh…that mac and cheese looks amazing. Going to try that. Even the broccoli is making my mouth water.
I love mac and cheese. Never tried Velveeta shells and cheese, so I have to go with Kraft, but would probably adore the Velveeta one, as I LOVE Velveeta. But my all-time favorite quick mac and cheese is Amy’s mac and cheese. Hands down best frozen meal EVER.
I saw this recipe and am DYING to make it. Thanks for the review!!!! I love mac and cheese….it might even by my favorite food.
Holy Bacon Mac!!!! Damn that looks delish. If I wasn’t having sushi tonight, which is my fav, I would be craving that!!!!!!
i saw that recipe in my magazine and have it dogeared to make soon! it looks awesome! glad you liked it.
oh, i’m a velveeta girl all the way
I am making this tomorrow! I’ve been looking for a light mac & cheese recipe. Thanks!!
Oh yum! That mac and cheese looks so good! Given a choice between Kraft or Velveeta I will always choose Kraft.
I saw that recipe the other day too! I folded the page to remember to make it. Now that I know it is amazing, I will be making it sooner rather than later!
I am a Velveeta girl, but my boyfriend swears by Kraft Spirals
That mac n cheese looks amazing! I never would have guessed that there is no butter, it looks so decadent!
Wow, what a great recipe! I shall add it to our menu for next week cause it looks delish! I love roasted garlic broccoli. That’s our go-to veggie since it’s one of the only ones the hubby will eat. I’m a Kraft kinda gal.
LOVE that recipe!!!!
Thats such a great recipe, my husband LOVES mac and cheese from the box, but a much healthier option like this is something I can slip in and it has bacon!
I had to tell you also I went to my first grocery store in Iowa today and saw your yogurt brand “AE” that you always have and I can’t wait to try it in the future, but I was also sad to see they didn’t have the cottage cheese!
Have a great night and enjoy your licorice!
OMg girl! this dinner looks amazing! someone who hates fattening fully butter loaded sauces, is in fascination over this! I’m going to get this recipe and try it out! i’m so happy that you loved it too,
That looks so good! Excuse me while I go wipe the drool off my face!
Thanks for the recipe recommendation; Cooking Light, here I come!
I love healthy mac and cheese recipes. It’s a good classic done right
Wow! I’m going to have to add this Mac & Cheese to my list of recipes to make soon. Looks so good! I’m a Velveeta girl – I love the creamy cheese. I don’t think I’ve eaten it since I was at least 12 though.
Where did you get your mister? That looks like a great idea. I always try to pour but end up getting lots and this looks like an easy solution.
My dad used to work at Kraft in his younger days, and I can tell you I will ALWAYS pick Velveeta:)
P.S.: That’s some yummy-looking licorice!
Roasted broccoli is our all-time favorite way to make/eat broccoli, too! Really want to give it a kick? Squeeze a lemon wedge over it before serving…totally good.
Gotta go with good ‘ol Kraft. Can’t beat that blue box!
kraft!! fo reeelz
Oh girl this mac n’ cheese looks amazing! The Sept issue of Cooking Light actually has a whole section on Mac n’ Cheese recipes that I’ve been drooling over for a few days now
I gotta make some soon haha!
I couldn’t open the link for some reason
Could you perhaps email me the recipe to taydortott@gmail.com? I really want to try it out! Thanks hon!!
Yeah, broccoli-lovin!
I’ve actually never had Velveeta–is that weird? I wasn’t big on Kraft either, so…can I say C. None of the Above? Stouffer’s was the BEST!
Mac and cheese…one of the greatest comfort foods known to man. As long as it’s not out of a blue box or with processed cheese, I’m perfectly fine with it.
Yummy! That’s simply gorgeous & stunning.
OK Seriously – you are making me drool with that licorice. I fly out to San Fran first week of Oct. to see my sister and she is taking me to Trader Joe’s just down the road from her. CANNOT wait to try that licorice AND pick me up some almond butter.
1. DOGS – preferably chocolate labs – I think I have the best lab in the world!
2. DEFINITELY double-stuff – only can eat a couple though which is good for me!
3. Winter – for sure love the comfort foods and curling up in my sweats to watch football!
Question on your almond butter. I bought a jar here from Hy-Vee and I’m having a hard time getting it to mix with the oil and stuff – needless to say – it’s not creamy. Do you think it could be old? It definitely doesn’t look like yours!
I love Annie’s Shells and White Cheddar! I always add stuff to jazz it up like peas, carrots and tuna or garbanzos!
ive never been a huge mac & cheese fan and didnt ever eat velvetta or kraft but i would totally make this, it sounds so clean and delicious!!!
You are so naughty! All of that cheese looks so decadent!
Did you use whole-wheat pasta? I find whole wheat pasta to almost always be disgusting. Mealy and mushy. If you do use whole wheat, what brand do you recommend?
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This is my new favorite recipe for mac and cheese. I did how ever add fresh mozzarella, cherry/grape tomatoes and chopped up the broccoli and added that too which in my opinion made it to die for! Delish!!