how would you make this mac and cheese recipe lighter?

[nageov3t]

the recipe called for a crumb topping, but I left it out. figured it was rich enough without throwing butter and bread on top.

oven baked macaroni is obviously good, but doesn't fill my purpose of finding slowcooker recipes to use during the work week.

 

[DCal430]

the recipe called for a crumb topping, but I left it out. figured it was rich enough without throwing butter and bread on top.

oven baked macaroni is obviously good, but doesn't fill my purpose of finding slowcooker recipes to use during the work week.

Make slow cooker chili instead.

 

[ultimatebob]

Make slow cooker chili instead.

Yeah, or a pot roast. Or chicken stew. Don't torture a poor mac&cheese recipe... It didn't do anything to you!

 

[zinfamous]

replace evaporated milk with heavy cream.

is that what you were asking?

also, consider transferring to an aluminum grill tray, cover with foil, and finish it off over hot coals.

grilled mac & cheese = yum.

 

[nageov3t]

Make slow cooker chili instead.

I do that too

found a great recipe for a tequila-lime turkey chili when I'm in a healthier mood.

 

[Cerb]

I would make something like this:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/macaroniandcheeserecipes/r/bl20c1.htm
But with olive oil, instead of soybean oil, and dairy not from a can.

If you want it to feel lighter, you want less cheesiness, and more fattiness. In a pan-based recipe, I would add olive oil, which feels lighter than butter, but it won't stay mixed in dairy, so I'd stick with butter for a crock pot recipe.

You can also add sour cream, and/or substitute the softer cheese with a soft fresh cheese, like ricotta.

Not related to heaviness, shredded green onion, bell pepper, chili, and garlic are hard to go wrong with in macaroni and cheese, along with various preparations of pork.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Osso Buco does pretty well in the slow cooker as does tongue and oxtail stew.