Mac & Cheese with Chicken and Mushrooms

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Mac & Cheese with Chicken and Mushrooms

By replacing some ingredients with healthy alternatives, we've created this amazing, healthy, and super delicious Mac & Cheese you can enjoy guilt-free.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Universal

Keyword: Kid-Friendly, Pasta

Servings: people

Calories: 373kcal

Author: SkinnyMs.

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

3 cups high protein elbow noodles or whole-wheat elbow noodles, uncooked
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
1 cup baby bella mushrooms or button mushrooms, cleaned and cut into slices (half pint)
1 garlic clove minced
3 tablespoons white whole-wheat flour
1 3/4 cups milk low-fat
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese reduced-fat, divided
8 to 10 ounces boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked, chopped into bite-sized pieces or 2 to 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking pan by coating it with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
Prepare the noodles according to package directions and drain.
In a sauté pan over medium heat, add one tablespoon of oil and mushrooms. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, until all of the water has released and evaporated from the mushrooms, and they have browned slightly. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Remove the mushrooms and garlic from the pan.
In the same pan, whisk together the flour and 3 tablespoons olive oil to form a paste. Allow to cook for about one to two minutes, until fragrant and bubbling. Whisk in a small amount of milk, about 1/4 cup at a time. Add the cooked mushrooms. Whisk constantly while adding all of the milk in gradual increments. Whisk in the paprika, salt, and pepper. Increase heat and simmer until thick.
Once thickened, whisk in 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese and the cooked chicken. Remove from heat.
Add the mixture to the noodles. Stir until fully coated. Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and bake for about 15 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese on the top is melted and golden.

Nutrition

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 11