High Protein Mac & Cheese

Who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese? The perfect comfort food. The problem is Mac and Cheese can be high in fat and calories with little nutritional value but it doesn’t have to be, here is yummy recipe that is not only high in protein it is also full of nutrients.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Jalapenos – chopped in small pieces
• 1 Onion – chopped in small pieces
• broccoli – chopped in small pieces
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups of low-fat milk
• 1 1/2 cup panko crumbs
• 2 cups parmesan cheese shredded
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 4 tbs of Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tbs Dry Mustard

Directions:

• • Pre-head Oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside. Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Cook pasta 5 minutes shy of al dente according to package instructions. Add pasta to bowl and set aside.
  • Add Olive Oil to frying pan and saute onions, Jalapenos and broccoli for about 15 minutes on low heat and add to pasta.
  • Melt Butter in a deep saucepan and whisk in flour for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden
  • Gradually add in milk and continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes. Whisk in salt and pepper. Add mixture to pasta bowl. Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Then add in nutritional yeast, paprika and dried mustard. Sauce should be nice and thick. Stir mixture in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.

• Pour mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, 1/2 Parmesan cheese, and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Why Nutritional Yeast is a Super Food?

Nutritional Yeast Benefits

Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein. Typically, one-quarter of a cup of nutritional yeast contains:

• 60 calories
• 8 grams (g) of protein
• 3 g of fiber
• 11.85 milligrams (mg) of thiamine, or vitamin B-1
• 9.70 mg of riboflavin, or vitamin B-2
• 5.90 mg of vitamin B-6
• 17.60 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B-12

Nutritional yeast is sometimes called a superfood because even a little of this high-protein, low-fat, nutrient-dense food provides a host of vitamins and minerals.

More research is necessary to confirm the benefits of nutritional yeast. However, it seems that it may help boost energy and maintain vitamin B-12 levels, as well as supporting the immune system, dermatological health, and pregnancy. Not all nutritional yeast is fortified with vitamin B-12, so it is important to check the label for ingredients.

Many people also really like the taste of this nutritious food. Nutritional yeast is versatile, and people can add it to a variety of healthful dishes.