39 Light-ish Recipes That Don’t Skimp on Cheese

Read Time: 18 mins

39 Light-ish Recipes That Don’t Skimp on Cheese2/39 Chili Mac 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chili Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chili mac has regularly appeared on my family menus for more than 40 years, and it’s never failed to please at potlucks and bring-a-dish gatherings. Sometimes I turn it into soup by adding a can of beef broth. —Marie Posavec, Berwyn, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 348 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 713mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (8g

sugars, 12g fiber), 27g protein

sugars, 12g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat. 3/39 Feta ‘n’ Chive Muffins 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Feta ‘n’ Chive Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a spring variation on the savory muffins my husband has made for years. It has a light texture almost like a popover and tastes best eaten hot right from the oven. —Angela Buchanan, Boulder, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin: 105 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium,

13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein

13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 0.500 fat. 4/39 Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It’s also a great way to sneak in some veggies for

It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve

children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 422 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 750mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein. 5/39 Parmesan Pork Medallions 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Pork Medallions Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s one of the best pork medallion recipes I’ve found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve

any number

any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked pork: 220 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 6/39 Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Save room in the oven by making this savory side in your slow cooker. It is a standby in my

My daughter likes to add leftover ham to create a hearty main course

house. My daughter likes to add leftover ham to create a hearty main course. —Joyce Johnson, Uniontown, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 148 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 medium-fat meat. 7/39 Penne Beef Bake 13 Reviews Penne Beef Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had ground beef and veggies on hand so I came up with this pizza-flavored casserole. I never expected my family to love

it so much

it so much. It’s a good way to sneak in some extra veggies for the kids. —Jennifer Wise, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 395 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat. 8/39 Spinach, Shrimp and Ricotta Tacos 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spinach, Shrimp and Ricotta Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was looking for a new recipe for tacos, and this version

was a perfect solution

was a perfect solution. With shrimp, green chiles, spinach and ricotta, it’s made up of ingredients I love that aren’t normally associated with traditional tacos. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 317 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 9/39 White Balsamic Blueberry, Corn and Feta Salad 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

I’m not typically a huge fan of summer corn, but when it comes to this sweet, salty, refreshing salad, I can’t put my fork down. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 133 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 10/39 Taco Stuffed Shells 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and

fun, nobody is likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat

fun, nobody is likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat. It’s a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed shells: 384 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 665mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 11/39 Southwest Vegetarian Bake 51 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Southwest Vegetarian Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. It’s a healthy canned vegetable recipe that’s perfect any

time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings

time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 285 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 759mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 12/39 Spinach ‘n’ Broccoli Enchiladas 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spinach ‘n’ Broccoli Enchiladas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante

It’s quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying!

sauce. It’s quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 enchilada: 246 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 13/39 Spinach and Artichoke Pizza 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 6 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My from-scratch pizza has a whole wheat crust flavored with beer. Top it with spinach, artichoke hearts and tomatoes, then add chicken or ham

and fresh basil if you want to include meat

and fresh basil if you want to include meat. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 290 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat. 14/39 Loaded Smashed Potatoes 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Smashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If mashed potatoes are a must at your family Thanksgiving, then why not go all out with the works? I love garlic, onions

and bacon, and this dish has all three!

and bacon, and this dish has all three! —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri 15/39 One-Skillet Lasagna 66 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved One-Skillet Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 478 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 1552mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein. 16/39 Makeover Hash Brown

This light version keeps the cozy flavor while nixing a lot of the fat

Casserole 11 Reviews Makeover Hash Brown Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted a hash brown casserole I could feel good about eating. This light version keeps the cozy flavor while nixing a lot of the fat. —Kelly Kirby, Westville, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 136 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 17/39 Chili Tortilla Bake 27 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli

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