Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
Posted Jul 26, 2017, Updated Jun 29, 2024
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Baked greek yogurt mac and cheese is an easy, nutritious version of a classic comfort food! It’s a protein-packed side dish to feed a crowd – and easily made gluten-free.
I’m a firm believer that making homemade versions of your favorite pre-packaged foods is always a better choice! And this greek yogurt mac and cheese is a delicious, homemade version of everyone’s favorite boxed dish!
This recipe is creamy and cheese and loaded with protein! It’s easily made gluten-free by using gluten-free noodles and flour!
Since there is an entire cup of Greek yogurt in this healthy mac and cheese recipe it’s a great source of protein, so I usually serve it as a meatless main dish! You could easily serve it as a side or a make-ahead lunch (because it makes amazing leftovers)!
Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese: Substitutions
- Elbow Macaroni: any pasta variety works well in this recipe, including gluten-free pasta. I like shapes like elbows, shells or wheels,.
- Flour. for a gluten-free version, use an all-purpose gluten free flour.
- Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half are great substitutions.
- Greek Yogurt: I have used all different kids of plain Greek yogurt, including fat free, with great results!
- Cheddar Cheese: Use your favorite variety and sharpness of cheese!
How to Make Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
Let’s walk through how to make greek yogurt mac and cheese.
Begin by cooking the macaroni in boiling water until al dente – drain and do not rinse.
Make the Cheese Sauce
Next, make the cheese sauce.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once butter is melted, add the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
Cook on medium heat for 1 minute, or until it forms a paste-like consistency and becomes light brown.
Add milk and greek yogurt and whisk until ingredients are combined.
Cook the mixture over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken (but does not boil).
Once the mixture is thick, turn heat to low and add 2 cups of cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted.
Assemble
Add cheese sauce to the cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine.
Make on the Stovetop (no Baking)
You do not have to bake this recipe. You can stop at this step and serve it straight from the stovetop without the topping.
In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients.
Pour the macaroni & cheese mixture into prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle topping over pasta.
Bake
Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on the top is melted and slightly browned.
To Prepare in Advance
This greek yogurt macaroni and cheese can be made ahead of time and baked when you’re ready. Just assemble and leave it covered at room temperature (for up to one hour) or in the refrigerator!
If the dish is cold when you put it in the oven, cover it with foil for the first 10 minutes of baking.
Serve
Serve this greek yogurt mac and cheese with roasted broccoli. or a delicious salad. You can also serve this homemade mac and cheese as an easy side dish for a BBQ or potluck!
Store/Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Reheat in the microwave, on the stovetop, or covered in the oven stet to warm.
Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese FAQs
No. You can serve the greek yogurt mac and cheese after the macaroni is stirred into the cheese sauce and you do not need to bake it .
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 9×13″ pan.
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Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Macaroni and Cheese:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Topping:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease an 8×8” baking dish (or 2 quart casserole dish), set aside.
Cook the Macaroni
- Cook macaroni (or pasta of choice) according to package instructions in salted bater.
- Drain pasta but do not rinse.
Make the Cheese Sauce
- Measure out dry ingredients ( flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper) into a small bowl. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Once butter is melted, add the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Cook on medium heat for 1 minute, or until it forms a paste-like consistency and becomes light brown.
- Add milk and greek yogurt and whisk until ingredients are combined.
- Cook the mixture over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken (but does not boil).
- Once the mixture is thick, turn heat to low and add 2 cups of cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.
Assemble
- Add cheese sauce to the cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients.
- Sprinkle topping over pasta.
Bake
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on the top is melted and slightly browned.
- Serve warm!
Notes
- Elbow Macaroni: any pasta variety works well in this recipe, including gluten-free pasta. I like shapes like elbows, shells or wheels,.
- Flour. for a gluten-free version, use an all-purpose gluten free flour.
- Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half are great substitutions.
- Greek Yogurt: I have used all different kids of plain Greek yogurt, including fat free, with great results!
- Cheddar Cheese: Use your favorite variety and sharpness of cheese!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We’ve made this twice over the past few months and love it- thank you! We use a cast-iron oven-proof pot and boil the noodles, make the sauce (while noodles are draining in a colander), and bake the final dish all in one pan, minimizing dish clean-up!
Have you tried the Sprouts Quinoa Fusili in the stovetop mac and cheese recipe? Will tapioca flour work instead of regular flour to make the Rue?
Yes to both of those questions! I also use Eat Banza chickpea pasta for the stovetop mac and cheese recipe with great results!
Is there a freezer option for this? Trying to get some freezer options for before baby #2 comes in November! Or can you direct me to some of your recipes that freeze well? Love your site and also that you know the busyness that is motherhood.
I agree about the crispy top layer – there’s just no substitute for that! Great recipe!
I am in love with this Macaroni and Cheese! I need to make it very soon! I love that you used Greek yogurt in the recipe!
Cannot wait for cooler weather to try this! Pinning. My two year old is becoming very picky, so need some new recipes to try out – he’s started pulling out any fresh herb pieces from his dinner, calling them “buuugs” 🙂
LOL Yessss! those bugs can be no fun! 😉
Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever made mac and cheese at home before! But this recipe is right up my alley, I use Greek yogurt for everything and have gluten free pasta on hand! Yay!
You will love it Emily!
That is so wonderful that you get to partner with Sprouts; we love getting specialty products from there that we can’t get anywhere else. We also always get our fruits and veggies there (unless we get them at Safeway or the Farmer’s market). I love mac n’ cheese, and it seems like the baked mac n’ cheese is my family’s favorite. It’s such a creamy comforting dish.
I just adore your comment about your husband’s tastebuds – I call my hubs a “tricky eater.” We also eat A LOT of homemade mac n cheese too – I’ve been mixing regular pasta with some gluten-free versions – this recipe looks delish!!
LOL Deanna! Thankfully he’s not really picky, he just prefers “younger people” food! 😉
Pinned. I cannot wait to make this. Looks so good. I’d add a side of roasted vegetables and call dinner done!
You will love it Marisa! I’m totally not joking when I say we eat this weekly! I usually make a huge salad to go with it! 😉