Good MORNING! How’s everyone doing on this fine Wednesday morning?
Things are going well over here…I’m just feeling a bit spazzy this week with trying to get things ready for HLS (already this weekend!) and organizing everything else that is my life. Gosh I wish I was better with time management…
Last night Jay and I had my in-laws over for dinner and we had this thing of beauty.
Homemade mac and cheese with chicken and tomatoes, baby! I actually just slightly adapted one of my previous mac and cheese recipes to come up with this one and I think it was enjoyed by all…at least I’m assuming so, since the four of us polished the pan clean.
(You guys can check out the recipe by scrolling down to the bottom of this post!)
My in-laws brought over some fresh corn on the cob to have with dinner and it was, by far, the best we’ve had so far this season. Dinner may have been full of starchy carbs and not super colorful…but it was pretty darn delicious.
Shortly after dinner, we finished up the evening with a little dessert.
I used up my box of “reduced guilt” brownies that I bought from Trader Joe’s last week, and prepared them with a container of black cherry Greek yogurt. They were almost more cake-like than brownies, but they still tasted fantastic along with a little ice cream.
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This morning Jay had to be up and out early for work, so I took that as a cue to really get up on time and get a head start on my day. Lately, I’ve been waiting to do my workouts until almost noon, and I really just don’t enjoy waiting that long. So today, I laced up my sneaks right away and headed down to the treadmill for a walk.
One hour, 3.5 miles, and two chapters later, I was ready for some breakfast.
It’s Waffle Wednesday!
Topped with almond butter, banana slices, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Yummmm.
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Alright, if you’ve scrolled down looking for a recipe…have no fear!
I’ve got it for ya right here.
Lighter Mac & Cheese with Chicken & Tomatoes
(adapted from my Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch Mac & Cheese)
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (I used whole wheat shells)
- 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken breast
- 1 (15oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
- 1/3 cup condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or, if you can find it, use a Mac & Cheese blend)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mac & Cheese blend)
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk; gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes or until sauce cools to 155°. Add Mac & Cheese blend, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, and salt, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta, chicken, and diced tomatoes.
- Preheat broiler. Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes or until cheese melts. Enjoy!
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Amy says
That looks super yummy! :) I will definitely have to try it!
Khushboo says
Healthified or not, those brownies look great!! Good luck getting everything sorted- I always get so stressed before I travel ah!
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says
This looks amazing! Mac & cheese is my ultimate comfort food, so any way to “lighten it up” is great!!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
This recipe looks so so good! I’m definitely trying it!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Oh my gosh – yum! Can’t wait to make this cheesy goodness! ;)
Danica @ It's Progression says
Walking on the treadmill and reading is one my favorite low-impact workouts–I feel like I’m being so great at multitasking! :)
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says
I can’t wait for HLS! That mac and cheese looks soo good, I love when the cheese on top gets brown and crispy, it is the best part!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because says
Thanks for the recipe! Love comfort food.
Linda says
That looks amazing. I need to get Bob to try this out for his blog. Thank you!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Lately on my days off I’m having a hard time getting to the gym first thing in the morning. I’m not sure why that is because I greatly prefer morning workouts and know I’m less likely to go later. I think though the extra 30-60 minutes I’m sleeping is enough to make my body hungry and not want to do anything before I eat. hah!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I could eat a version of mac & cheese several times per week! :)
Elaine says
I love mac’n’cheese with tomatoes (or ketchup…although I usually get weird looks when I do this!). Adding chicken sounds delicious too! Will definitely add this to my list of recipes to try :)
Danielle @ Dish'n'dash says
I always put ketchup on my mac and cheese – you’re not the only one! I recently found a ketchup blended with chipotle; if you like chipotle, you would LOVE this!
Courtney says
Ok, I totally need to try this next time! I love my ketchup :)
Elaine says
This sounds amazing! Did you make your own or buy it somewhere? I need to try this!
Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says
The mac n’cheese dish looks incredible!! I know this will be one that goes over well with the entire family:-)
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I didn’t partake in Waffle Wednesday! I’ll have to next week! That baked mac & cheese looks delicious. Great recipe!
ALYSSA - FASHION FITNESS FOODIE says
I love that you lighten up comfort food meals like mac & cheese and brownies! I love to do that too – Getting what I want for less calories is always a win win situation!
Danielle @ Dish'n'dash says
Oh man, I was craving mac and cheese last night – this recipe would have been perfect! Will definitely have to try out a gluten-free version next week.
Funny story, my sister and I – years ago – started calling mac and cheese not made from a box “real macaroni and cheesus” (don’t know why we called it cheesus) and when deciding what kind of pasta to use, the person making it would ask the other “twirlies or stabbies?” i.e. pasta you could twirl on your fork or pasta you would stab with your fork.
I’m also heading to HLS and planning to attend your session. Looking forward to meeting you in person!
Courtney says
Hahaha, I love it!
Rachel says
Those brownies sound great! I have a black cherry Chobani in my fridge now
kaylie says
Okay- even though it’s 8AM (in California at least:)), I want to make that Mac n’ Cheese right nowww!!! It looks amazingly delicious!
Kim@hingryhealthygirl says
Looks like a very yummy dinner & dessert! I like getting my workout out of the way in the morning too.
Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says
Wow! This mac and cheese looks amazing! There is nothing better than homemade mac and cheese :) Can’t wait for HLS!!!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud says
that sounds delish! though Im not gonna lie… the brownie and ice cream looks fabulous :)
Yellow Haired Girl says
Mac and cheese > everything else.
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says
This looks delicious! I love the idea of making mac and cheese into a casserole!
Brandi says
Yum! what a super easy recipe! :) Because of the bad rap that pasta gets, I have always avoided it, but lately I have really enjoyed eating it. :)
Allison @ Running Through Red Lights says
Macaroni and cheese is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods, and I’m always looking for ways to change it up. I’m definitely going to have to try your recipe next time!
Alyssa says
oh boy that Mac & Cheese looks awesome! Very flavorful and healthier than regular versions. Thanks Courtney :) I’m definitely going to try this!
Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit says
This looks so good!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Yum! I love a good mac & cheese recipe! Pinning this!
Nicole says
This lactose-senstive girl is ready to pop her lactaid tablets so she can enjoy this dreamy, creamy treat. Looks amazing!! :)
Shannon says
Your mac n cheese recipe made my day. Thank you SO much! :) Mac n cheese is my favorite meal.
Alison says
This looks delicious! I rarely comment, but I have to tell you, I made your chicken parm burgers last night and they were amazing! So moist and easy to make. Even my boyfriend loved them and he said they were a keeper and tasted like real chicken parm. thanks!
Courtney says
Awww AWESOME! Thanks so much for letting me know :)
Jay and I are actually planning on having our two leftover burgers tonight!
Julianna @ Julianna Bananna says
that mac n cheese looks absolutely delicious! i haven’t had pasta in quite awhile and now have a major craving for it!
Katherine @ The Fit Lady Sings says
All of that food looks amazing!! It’s been too long since I’ve had mac and cheese, so maybe I’ll give that recipe a go! :)
Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate says
Everything looks so tasty! I’m especially digging the waffles! I don’t know if its because we’re starting to work our way into fall, but waffles just hit the spot these days. My favorite waffle? The Kellogg’s Eggo FiberPlus Chocolate Chip waffles. Add some bananas on top and its a win win!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Yum!!! This recipe is sounding amazing to me right now. I’ve been craving yummy, savory foods like crazy recently!
Bek @ Crave says
What is drizzled over your dessert? Ahh looks like butterscotch mmm. I don’t think I could read on the tready- do you get motion sick? Hmm next time I’ll have to try it. Can you jog/run and read? haha. That’d be even more impressive ;)
Courtney says
It’s caramel :)
And I don’t get motion sick on the treadmill while walking, but I can’t jog and read at the same time!