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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dish ยป Vegetarian Main Dish ยป Holiday Macaroni & Cheese

    Holiday Macaroni & Cheese

    Published: Nov 18, 2012 ยท Updated: Aug 13, 2019 ยท This post contains affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Super cheesy and full of veggies without all the junk of regular macaroni and cheese. Specks of red & green hot peppers add festive holiday color to the dish

    white bowl with holiday Macaroni and Cheese

    Disclosure: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the Southeast Dairy Association. I am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

    Macaroni and cheese is the perfect winter meal because it's warm and comforting.

    Unfortunately, it's not the best option as it's loaded with tons of cheese, white pasta, butter, etc.

    And on top of that, what if lactose {the sugar found in dairy products} upsets your stomach?

    milk, cheese, casserole dish, spoon, and bowl of holiday macaroni and cheese on red placemat

    Macaroni & cheese or any dish with milk products for that matter are all out of the question.

    Luckily, you can prepare your normal dishes containing milk with lactose free milk! {You can find this right next to regular milk in your grocery store's dairy section.}

    Lactose free milk is made with the lactase enzyme to help break down lactose into simple sugars {glucose & galactose} that your body can more easily digest.

    casserole dish with holiday macaroni and cheese

    It's the same milk with all the same nutrients and protein, but it is easier for you to digest. Win win!

    In an effort to provide lactose sensitive people with some holiday recipes, The Southeast Dairy Association is challenging members of the Recipe ReDux to create "Festively Lactose Free" appetizer, entree, and dessert recipes using lactose free milk.

    So here is my festive holiday macaroni & cheese.

    close up of white bowl with holiday macaroni and cheese

    I love this recipe because it is super cheesy without all the fat & calories of regular macaroni and cheese.

    And my favorite part is that there is over 2 cups vegetables in the recipe. Most macaroni and cheese recipes have no vegetables.

    Chop the onions and cauliflower really small and you'll hardly even notice they are in there.

    fork with holiday macaroni and cheese, casserole of mac and cheese, milk

    This makes me so excited for the coming holiday season! I love Christmas time, and it makes me so happy to put red & green peppers in my macaroni and cheese to make it more festive. Plus, the spiciness helps warm you up when it's cold outside.

    white bowl with holiday Macaroni and Cheese

    Holiday Macaroni Cheese

    Super cheesy and full of veggies without all the junk of regular macaroni and cheese. Specks of red & green hot peppers add festive holiday color to the dish
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • 6 ounces uncooked macaroni about 1.5 cups
    • 1.5 cup cauliflower chopped, fresh or frozen
    • 1 tsp oil
    • 1 cup onion from 1 medium onion, finely chopped
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 2 TBSP all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1.5 cup lactose-free 2% milk divided
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded, sharp (preferably white)
    • 3/4 tsp salt
    • Pinch cayenne pepper
    • Pinch Pinch of paprika
    • 1/8 teaspoon Ground black pepper
    • 1 small hot red pepper fresno
    • 1 small hot green pepper jalapeño or serrano
    • 1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
    • 2 TBSP cheddar cheese shredded, sharp (preferably white)

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 375°F.
    • Cook pasta in boiling water 5 minutes until almost tender; add cauliflower in the last 2 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute.
    • Whisk 1/2 cup milk and 2 TBSP flour together and add to saucepan with bay leaf. Whisk in remaining 1 cup milk. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil while stirring and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, salt, red pepper, paprika, ground pepper, and butter. Cook, stirring until all melted and combined. Stir in half of the red pepper and half of the green pepper.
    • Turn off heat and stir in pasta and cauliflower. Spread macaroni mixture into a 2-quart square baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle with remaining red & green peppers.
    • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling.

    Notes

    *Make this gluten free by using 1 TBSP cornstarch in place of 2 TBSP flour, and use equal amount of gluten free pasta. Skip the bread crumbs and sprinkle with peppers & extra cheese instead.
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo
    Click here for Nutrition Facts

    *
    Nutrition Facts
    Holiday Macaroni Cheese
    Amount Per Serving (0.25 recipe)
    Calories 473 Calories from Fat 189
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 21g32%
    Saturated Fat 12g75%
    Cholesterol 59mg20%
    Sodium 852mg37%
    Potassium 439mg13%
    Carbohydrates 53g18%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 24g48%
    Vitamin A 661IU13%
    Vitamin C 32mg39%
    Calcium 500mg50%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *

    Meme

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    Comments

    1. Tracy_Nutrition says

      January 10, 2013 at 8:43 am

      Love health-i-fied mac n cheese recipes! This looks good!

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        January 10, 2013 at 10:47 pm

        Thanks!! I never liked mac & cheese as a kid, but homemade mac & cheese is soo good ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Janice@macaroni and cheese says

      December 10, 2013 at 2:07 am

      We always try to pass our holiday with a great refreshment . So we makes some delicious food on this special day. My kids always request me to make some exceptional yummy food for them. That's why I think this above recipe of Macaroni & Cheese is a great alternative for that.Thanks for your above recipe. I will try this at my home as soon possible.

      Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme -- a thirty-something girl from Alabama living in San Diego! Join me as I prove that living a guilt-free, healthy lifestyle can be budget friendly, delicious & fun!
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