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.

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

Step 1: Assemble and prep your ingredients.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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Lightened Up Easy Cheesy Tuna Mac

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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 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes 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

More Lightened Up Comfort Food Recipes

• Classic Campbell’s Tuna Noodle Casserole Made Lighter
• Low Calorie Cheesy Tuna Casserole for One
• Lightened Up Campbell’s Hearty Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Easy 5-Ingredient Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
• Easy Healthy English Muffin Tuna Melt for Two

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