5 Tasty Alternatives to Butter in Your Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese, that timeless comfort food-a pasta casserole of elbow macaroni smothered in melted cheese-has been a staple on dinner tables for generations.

And while its gooey, savory goodness never seems to go out of style, your waistline and health goals might not always be in tune with its most classic ingredient - butter.

Here's your guide to swapping out that dairy staple for other scrumptious alternatives that won't just serve your health, but also surprise your palate.

Save for Later!

5 Butter Substitutes in Your Mac and Cheese

1 - Margarine

Margarine, long hailed as the butter substitute, has been a go-to choice for many dairy-averse folks. It's made from vegetable oils, so you can skip the saturated fat.

With a smoother texture and generally a more straightforward flavor than butter, margarine's thinner consistency can be both a boon and a bane for mac and cheese.

Making the Swap

• Begin with half the amount of margarine than the recipe calls for butter, then adjust to your taste.
• Opt for a margarine with a high fat content for better flavor and creaminess.
• Be cautious with salt-some margarines are heavily seasoned, which could overpower your dish.

2 - Olive Oil

The potential of olive oil stretches far beyond the salad bowl. Its strong flavors, characteristic of the ripest of olive groves, can improve a simple mac and cheese into a Mediterranean masterpiece.

Plus, it's rich in monounsaturated fats, which can boost your heart health.

Making the Swap

• Start with high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• For every tablespoon of butter, substitute three tablespoons of olive oil.
• Reduce your oven temperature slightly to prevent the oil from burning.

3 - Cream Cheese

Cream cheese might seem like an odd bedfellow to mac and cheese, but it brings a tangy richness that's hard to beat. Due to its dense, creamy texture, mac and cheese with cream cheese might just have you second-guessing why you used butter in the first place.

Making the Swap

• Use an equal amount of cream cheese to butter for a creamy and tangy dish.
• Balance the texture with a splash of milk or cream, as cream cheese can make the mac and cheese a bit too thick.
• Watch the salt - cream cheese can be quite salty, so adjust your seasoning levels accordingly.

4 - Ghee

Ghee, a form of clarified butter, is a staple in Indian cuisine, and for good reason; pair it with sides for ghee-flavored rice.

Made with a unique process that removes milk solids and water, ghee is a rich source of vitamins and healthy fats (and has a smoke point near 450°F).

Making the Swap

• Substitute ghee at a 1:1 ratio for butter.
• Enjoy the nutty flavor by using it in a spicier or herbed mac and cheese.
• Don't overheat-ghee has a higher smoke point than butter, but it can still burn.

5 - Avocado

Avocado might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of mac and cheese, but its creamy flesh can give you that buttery texture without the cholesterol. Plus, you get a dose of potassium, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Making the Swap

• Mash the avocado until it's smooth before adding it to the cheese sauce.
• Start with just half an avocado for every two servings and adjust to your creaminess preference; for another avocado snack try crispy air-fryer avocado snacks.
• Add a touch of lemon juice to prevent your sauce from turning brown.

Making Mac and Cheese Without Butter

Save for Later!

Mac and cheese is definitely up there on the list. But what if you don't have any butter in your fridge?

Can you still make a delicious pot of creamy goodness without it? The answer is yes!

Let's be real here, butter adds a lot of flavor and richness to dishes. So why would we want to make mac and cheese without it?

Well, for starters, some people may be following a dairy-free or vegan diet. Others may simply not have any butter on hand and don't want to make a trip to the store just for one ingredient.

The secret ingredient

The key to making delicious mac and cheese without butter is using oil instead. Any neutral flavored oil will do, such as vegetable or olive oil.

This will provide the necessary fat to create a creamy texture without altering the overall flavor of the dish.

The recipe

• Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
• In a separate pot, heat up 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the oil and whisk until a paste forms.
• Slowly pour in 1 cup of milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
• Once the mixture begins to thicken, add in 1 cup of shredded cheese (cheddar or a mix of your favorite cheeses) and stir until melted and smooth.
• Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated.
• Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.