Back-to-School-Special: Healthy Lunchbox Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Written by Donna on September 20, 2009 in Entrees, Healthy Fare, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Entrees
Will your kids guess the secret (and healthy!) ingredient? You may even be surprised yourself: Tofu!
I’m posting this now for you moms who might want to keep a bowl in the fridge for after-school snacks or put in kids’ lunches. It’s great hot or cold. My son Jake will stand in front of the fridge with a fork and eat it right out of the fridge until I catch him!
When Anne and I were reunited in 1999 as a birth mother and daughter we discovered that we had many things in common, not the least of which was our shared love of cooking and enjoying good food. We spent many late nights in our kitchens cooking and catching up on a lifetime of experiences. Anne had spent many years as a vegetarian and I had been cooking for kids for many years, so we developed this wonderful synergy of healthy (Anne) meets homey (me). A wonderful thing was born of our reunion: a tofu cookbook! I am very proud of our “101 Things to do with Tofu,” published by Gibbs Smith, publisher.
This recipe was created for the book, now with a few small tweaks, and has become a Sunday lunch staple at our home. We love it even better than the roux-based mac and cheese that was its predecessor in my kitchen. It is creamy and comforting. Any Sunday, stop by my house and we’ll dish you up some surprisingly yummy “tofu mac.”
HEALTHY LUNCHBOX MAC ‘N’ CHEESE
1 bag (16 ounces) regular or whole wheat elbow macaroni
½ cup evaporated milk
1 container (16 ounces) silken tofu
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon seasoned salt (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Cook macaroni according to directions on package, then drain and set aside. In blender, add tofu one spoonful at a time to milk, blending until smooth. Add seasoned salt and Tabasco. Pour tofu mixture into pan and cook over medium heat until bubbly. Slowly add in cheese, stirring until melted. Add in macaroni and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving. Serves 6 to 8.
Other unique mac’s by food bloggers:
Triple Smokey Macaroni and Cheese, Herbivoracious
Gruyere and Tomatoes Mac and Cheese, Andrea’s Recipes
Low Carb Macaroni and Cheese, Kalyn’s Kitchen
Bacon Mac and Cheese, Not Quite Nigella
Spicy Italian Mac and Cheese, Chili Cheese Fries
More info about “101 Things To Do With Tofu” here.
– posted by Donna
I would have never guessed tofu in Mac & Cheese. I’ve never tried the silken tofu. With such a rave review I’ll have to look for it!
Barbara – you won’t believe how great this recipe is until you try it. Smooth and creamy – don’t take my word for it! Try it! ASAP!
Love this idea with tofu! This would be great for South Beach because the tofu will lower the glycemic index!
Kalyn – I think it would be very good with whole grain pasta, too! I’ll try that next time I make it!
I made this recipe for my decidedly carnivorous boyfriend and sister. They both raved about how lovely and creamy everything came out – and how they couldn’t tell there was tofu in it! This is the perfect way to ease some guilt from a fried chicken dinner!
One of the best things about doing a food blog is putting your creations out there and then finding folks that make your dishes and enjoy them. So, so happy that you liked this mac!
I was wondering if you think it would be ok if I subbed cream or half&half for the evaporated milk? Thanks, I’m looking forward to making this.
I’ll bet half & half would work, but I’ll leave it to Donna. Donna?
Yes, Sarah – either will work just fine.
I like evaporated milk because it adds some flavor but not much fat, and the main point is to thin down the silken tofu a little.
You can also experiment with different cheeses, too. I like strongly flavored cheeses in this mac, otherwise the tofu taste takes over. I have used a little Parmesan and it is great, too.
Mmmm. Just made this for dinner tonight. What a glorious version of mac!
Wow, just made this to bring over to my sister’s for her kids tomorrow. So easy and good! My husband and I couldn’t resist having some for ourselves tonight. Creamy and very flavorful. Yum!!
We are so, so happy that you liked it! I love the thought, while I’m eating it, that there is healthy tofu in it!