577119 Wed Dec 03 16:14:56 -0800 2008 4 31 Home Cooking 0 4218602 I am in the mood for some delicious creamy, cheesy, crusty traditional baked macaroni and cheese, but do not wish to go crazy with a zillion calories at this time of year. Sure, I know that mac 'n cheese is not diet food, but is there a recipe that is reasonable in calories/fat and still delicious? Wed Dec 03 16:14:56 -0800 2008 171170 josephnl 1 4218631 I sometimes substitute sour cream for some of the cheddar cheese in mac-n-cheese. It's only about a ten percent reduction in calories but it's a place to start. Wed Dec 03 16:24:35 -0800 2008 4218602 203621 todao 1 4218702 Do full fat but just eat less. Wed Dec 03 16:44:09 -0800 2008 4218602 10195 KTinNYC 1 4218879 My solution for this dilemma is to do something that isn't mac & cheese but which satisfies a lot of the cravings. I'll mix my pasta with some pureed squash (don't hate me, but you can buy it in the freezer section this time of year), add a good sprinkling of chevre to balance the sweetness and add cheesy goodness, and toss it under the broiler. If you want something more ooey-gooey than that, I'm pretty sure there are recipes out there that actually sub the squash for some of the cheese - you get that bright orange Kraft color. Try food network - I think Ellie Krieger probably did it at one point. Wed Dec 03 17:58:21 -0800 2008 4218602 17827 cyberroo 1 4218890 You can swap in tofu for some of the cheese. I think I got this recipe from one of the Moosewood books -- it's not Kraft (oh guilty pleasure) but it does the trick for me once in a while: * 12 ounces pasta -- elbows, small shells, farfalle are all good * 12 ounces lowfat silken tofu * 1/2 cup lowfat milk * 1 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese, packed * 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese * 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic * 1 teaspoon yellow mustard * 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste * 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper * 1/4 cup fresh parsley * 1/2 cup bread crumbs mixed with 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Grease a 2-quart baking dish 3. Bring a large covered pot of lightly salted water to boil 4. When water boils, stir in the pasta and cook until al dente 5. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine all the cheese sauce ingredients (except parsley and bread crumbs) and pulse until smooth 6. Add more salt to taste 7. Drain cooked pasta. In a large bowl mix together pasta and cheese sauce. Stir in parsley and spoon pasta into baking dish. 8. Top with bread-crumb mixture. 9. Bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 5 minutes more. Wed Dec 03 18:03:51 -0800 2008 4218602 12463 mcgeary