Low Calorie Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
This Low Calorie Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is just 264 calories per cup, and packed with cheesy goodness. I like to make this healthy pumpkin pasta with Banza Protein Pasta, but regular pasta will work as well. The protein will be lower if you go with traditional pasta, but it will still be low calorie!Special Tip: Make sure you get pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling! Pumpkin pie filling is packed with spices and sugar and will not work in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more if desired
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup low fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 oz Banza Protein Pasta or regular elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning optional
Instructions
- To a large pot, combine the pumpkin, garlic, salt and almond milk.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then add in the cheese and cook until melted.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package (if you want to minimize clean up, do this first and drain, then use the same pot to make the sauce, you don't even need to wash it out!)
- Add the cooked pasta to the pumpkin cheese sauce and mix well.
- Add any toppings you desire and serve hot.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 43.8gProtein: 18gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 456mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 11.5gSugar: 9gCalcium: 219mgIron: 6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!