Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese Recipe
This Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese recipe offers a healthy twist on the classic comfort food by replacing heavy cream with protein-packed Greek yogurt. Creamy, cheesy, and customizable with your favorite veggies, it’s a delicious and nutritious meal perfect for any day of the week.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
- 2 cups dry elbows or small pasta (7 oz)
Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheese, such as Daiya (dairy-free option)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp salt (1/4 tsp recommended)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt (dairy-free homemade Greek yogurt used)
Optional
- Spinach, kale, or veggies of choice
- Cook pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain the pasta well, but do not rinse it with water to keep the starches intact for a creamier sauce.
- Make cheese sauce: In a small pot over low heat, combine the milk, shredded cheese, and salt. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Greek yogurt: Stir in the Greek yogurt and continue to cook on low heat just until the sauce is heated through. Avoid boiling to prevent the yogurt from curdling.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the sauce, stirring gently to coat all the noodles evenly. Incorporate any optional veggies like spinach or kale at this stage if desired.
Notes
- Use dairy-free cheese and Greek yogurt for a vegan-friendly version.
- Do not rinse pasta after draining to maintain sauce creaminess.
- Heat the sauce gently to avoid curdling the yogurt.
- Add fresh or sautéed vegetables to boost nutrition and flavor.
- Adjust salt according to your taste preference.
Keywords: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese, healthy mac and cheese, vegetarian mac and cheese, dairy-free cheese sauce, easy stovetop mac and cheese