Connect with us

Weight Loss

Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac


Looking for a delicious and healthier twist on classic mac and cheese? This Tuna Mac and Cheese with Veggies is a perfect blend of comfort and nutrition. Made with a box of creamy mac and cheese, protein-packed tuna, and nutrient-rich cauliflower rice and peas, this dish is both satisfying and wholesome. It’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights. With just 6 simple ingredients, you can enjoy a tasty meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.

skinny easy cheesy tuna mac in ceramic bowl shot from above
Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac

How Many Calories and WW Points in this Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac?

According to my calculations, each serving has 261 calories and 3 WW Points. To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app, Click here! (You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

Recipe Ingredients

Boxed mac & cheese – a pantry staple and the convenient foundation of this tasty dish, consisting of dried macaroni pasta and a packet of powdered cheese sauce mix.

Frozen cauliflower rice – helps to increase the volume of this recipe without significantly adding calories, making the meal more filling and satisfying.

Frozen peas – adding a pop of vibrant color, the peas also enhance the flavor, texture, and nutrition of this tuna mac.

Fat free milk – using fat-free milk allows you to achieve the desired texture and taste of traditional mac and cheese while keeping the recipe lighter and healthier.

Light butter – by using light butter, you maintain the essential qualities of traditional mac and cheese while keeping the recipe lighter and more suitable for a healthier diet.

Canned tuna packed in water – adds a rich source of high-quality protein, which helps to make this dish more filling and satisfying. Feel free to add a second can if you want even more substance.

How to Make Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac Step by Step

box of mac & cheese, bag of riced cauliflower, frozen peas, nonfat milk, light butter, can of tuna
Ingredients for Lightened Up Easy, Cheesy Tuna Mac

Step 1: Assemble and prep your ingredients.

Cooking pasta in boiling water
Cooking pasta in boiling water

Step 2: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender, 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Frozen riced cauliflower and peas ready to thaw in microwave
Frozen riced cauliflower and peas ready to thaw in microwave

Step 3: Meanwhile place cauliflower and peas in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or until thawed.

Macaroni, milk, light butter and powdered cheese in large pot with wooden spoon
Adding powdered cheese, milk and light butter to macaroni in the pot

Step 4: When the macaroni is done drain it in a strainer and return it to the pot. Add cheese from packet, milk and butter. Mix thoroughly.

Stirring together macaroni, powdered cheese, milk and light butter with wooden spoon
Stirring together macaroni, powdered cheese, milk and light butter

Step 5: Add tuna, cauliflower, and peas. Stir until well combined. Heat over medium heat stirring until hot.

Stirring together tuna, peas, cauliflower rice and mac & cheese with a wooden spoon in a large pot shot from above
Stirring together mac & cheese, cauliflower rice, peas & canned tuna
Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac in Pasta Pot with Wooden Spoon shot from above
Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac Read to Serve

Recipe Notes, Variations & Substitutions

No cauliflower rice? Or not a fan? Chopped broccoli or chopped spinach would be good alternatives. As would thawed frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot mix.

No tuna? Canned salmon or canned chicken could be substituted. You could also use chopped or shredded cooked chicken or chopped ham.

Creamier? Stir in a little light sour cream or Greek yogurt to make the cheese sauce even richer and creamier.

What Should I Serve with Skinny Cheesy Tuna Mac?

I like this recipe all on it’s own. However there are all kinds of great side dishes you could serve alongside including:

  1. A side salad such as: shredded romaine with dill, cheap & easy tossed green salad, simple arugula salad with sunflower seeds and parmesan
  2. Cucumber and Tomato Salad: sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a splash of lemon juice.
  3. Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: lightly seasoned steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or zucchini.
  4. Crunchy slaw such as: easy carrot apple slaw, spicy cabbage slaw, easy healthy broccoli slaw with cranberries, Quick & Easy Asian Slaw

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cheesy Tuna Mac

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for several days. Add a splash of milk to leftovers before reheating and they’re good as new.

Are You Ready To Firmly Plant Yourself
On The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?

If you’ve made this Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

skinny easy cheesy tuna mac in ceramic bowl shot from above
Print

Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac

#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }
Made with creamy mac and cheese, protein-packed tuna, and nutrient-rich cauliflower rice and peas, this dish is both satisfying and wholesome. A comfort food favorite made lighter.
Course Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 (1-1/2 cup portions)
Calories 261kcal
Author Martha | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

  • 1 7.25 ounce box Macaroni & Cheese (I used Kraft)
  • 2 cups frozen riced cauliflower
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons fat free milk
  • 2 tablespoons light butter
  • 1 (5-6oz) can tuna packed in water, drained

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender, 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile place cauliflower and peas in a microwave safe bowl (affiliate link). Microwave (affiliate link) for 2 minutes or until thawed.
  • When the macaroni is done drain it in a strainer (affiliate link) and return it to the pot. Add cheese from packet, milk and butter. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add tuna, cauliflower, and peas. Stir until well combined. Heat over medium heat stirring until hot.

Notes

WW Points: 3  Click here to see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app. (Must be logged into the WW APP on a smartphone or tablet)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Variations & Substitutions Notes

No cauliflower rice? Or not a fan? Chopped broccoli or chopped spinach would be good alternatives. As would thawed frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot mix.
No tuna? Canned salmon or canned chicken could be substituted. You could also use chopped or shredded cooked chicken or chopped ham.
Creamier? Stir in a little light sour cream or Greek yogurt to make the cheese sauce even richer and creamier.

Storing & Reheating Leftover Cheesy Tuna Mac

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for several days. Add a splash of milk to leftovers before reheating and they’re good as new.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 31.6g | Protein: 16.3g | Fat: 5.8g

Recipe Source: Hungry Girl Magazine Fall 2021

A note about WW Points
If you’re following Weight Watchers, all the recipes here on Simple Nourished Living have been updated for the new WW program, with points displayed in the recipe card. The Check the WW Points link in the recipe card takes you to the Weight Watchers App where you can edit it using the WW recipe builder or add it to your day.
(Must be logged into WW account on a mobile device, such as smartphone or tablet).

More Lightened Up Comfort Food Recipes

The post Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac appeared first on Simple Nourished Living.



Source link
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *