• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Organize Yourself Skinny
  • Recipes
  • Meal Prep
  • Cooking Tips
  • Reviews
  • Lifestyle Hacks
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Meal Prep
  • Cooking Tips
  • Reviews
  • Lifestyle Hacks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Meal Prep
    • Cooking Tips
    • Reviews
    • Lifestyle Hacks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dinner Recipes » Reuben Macaroni and Cheese {Lightened Up}

    Reuben Macaroni and Cheese {Lightened Up}

    Published: Mar 18, 2016 · Modified: Nov 5, 2021 by Tammy Overhoff

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

     

    The classic flavors of a Reuban sandwich baked into comforting macaroni and cheese casserole.

    Lightened up Reuben Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.

    I hope you had a fun and safe St. Patty’s Day! If you have some leftover corned beef then I have a treat for you! Reuben Macaroni and Cheese!!! Whoa! I did my absolute best to create a healthier version that’s still big on flavor. According to my taste testers I succeeded. Yum yum yum!

    I’ve been using Delallo Whole Wheat Shells in my macaroni and cheese recipes lately and my kids love it! This is the one whole wheat pasta my kids will eat without any complaints. In fact, when I first used it I didn’t say anything and my oldest Emma said “Wow I love the noodles you used”. That’s all she talked about was “the noodles” Since then I always grab a bag to keep in my pantry. My local supermarket only carries the shells, and couple other varieties, but I’m thinking about purchasing their other pasta varieties right from their website. Anyway, using whole wheat instead of white is the first step in creating a healthier version of any macaroni and cheese.

    Next, I chopped up 3/4 pound of corned beef that I bought from the deli counter. If you have leftover corned beef from your St. Patty’s celebration then use that. I chopped the corned beef up fine because I like smaller pieces dispersed throughout the macaroni. But if you want chunkier pieces then go for it.

    After the pasta was cooked (very al dente of course) I place it in a 9 x 13 casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. I placed the drained sauerkraut and corned beef over top. I love the smell and taste of sauerkraut. I think that’s my Dad’s polish side coming out in me because I definitely perk up when I smell sauerkraut.

    reubenmac1

    Then I got working on the sauce. I follow the base I use for most of my macaroni and cheese recipes with just a few changes and additions. Instead of chicken stock I used beef. After the stock and milk became hot and bubbly I stirred in thousand island dressing and spicy mustard. To lightened up this recipe I used a yogurt based dressing instead of a regular one. I purchase the Wegman’s brand but there are other ones. You can find yogurt dressing in the produce section.

    reubenmac2

    I let the sauce simmer for a couple more minutes until it heated back up then I stirred in the swiss cheese. I thought about adding a little cheddar but decided to keep it all swiss. I loved it and thought it kept the genuine flavors of a reuben but feel free to add a couple different cheeses.

    After the cheese was melted I poured the sauce into the casserole dish, with the other ingredients, and stirred it up until everything was combined.

    reubenmac3

    The last step I did before I baked the macaroni and cheese was I threw 3 pieces of rye bread into a food processor and made breadcrumbs. I added a little melted butter to the breadcrumbs. Oh mama! This was the kicker and a must. You need this rye breadcrumb topping in your life. Trust me.

    reubenmac4

    Then I baked the macaroni and cheese in a 350 oven for 50 minutes. My kitchen was all reuben! The smells were amazing.

    If you are a reuben sandwich fan then there’s nothing about this Reuben Macaroni and Cheese you won’t obsess over. And it taste better the next day, and the day after that, so make this ahead of time to enjoy all week.

    reubenmac5

    Lightened up Rueben Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.

    Reuben Macaroni and Cheese {Lightened Up}

    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Organize Yourself Skinny

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Delallo Whole Wheat Pasta Shells cooked very al dente
    • ¾ lb deli corned beef thinly sliced and chopped
    • 1 lb package fresh sauerkraut drained
    • 2 cups 1% milk
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 2 tablespoon white whole wheat flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ cup thousand island yogurt dressing
    • ¼ cup spicy mustard
    • 3 cups shredded swiss cheese
    • 2-3 slices rye bread
    • 2 tablespoons butter melted

    Instructions

    • Preheat 350 degrees.
    • Spray a 9 x13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Add the pasta, corned beef, and sauerkraut.
    • In a large sauce pan whisk together milk, beef stock, and flour. Over medium heat cook liquid until it is steamy and bubbly, about 7- 10 minutes
    • Stir in salt, pepper, thousand island dressing, and spicy mustard. Continue to cook until it's heated through.
    • Stir in swiss cheese and cook until the cheese is melted. Continue to stir as the sauce cooks so none of the ingredients stick the bottom and burn.
    • Pour sauce over the ingredients in the casserole dish and stir until everything is combined.
    • Place bread and melted butter into a food processor and pulse until the bread turns into breadcrumbs.
    • Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the macaroni and cheese, place into the oven, and bake for 50 -55 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
    • Serve hot.

    Notes

    Sugars: 5
    Make-ahead instructions
    This recipe can be made completely ahead of time, portioned out, and stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days or frozen up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Fiber: 8g

     

     


    Sharing is caring!

    130 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Dinner Recipes, Healthy Casserole Recipes, Healthy Pasta Recipes, Recipes

    About Tammy Overhoff

    Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating recipes to meal prep, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. I’m the author of the Organize Yourself Skinny eBook & 30-day Workbook Bundle.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating meal prep recipes, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. I’m the author of the Organize Yourself Skinny eBook & 30-day Workbook Bundle.

    More about me →

    Let’s Connect

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Stay up to date

    Subscribe to get all the latest




    By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to our company.

    Popular Recipes

    • Guinness Beef Stew
    • Baked Oatmeal Cups
    • Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
    • Baked Ranch Chicken

    Helpful Reviews

    • Thrive Market Review 2022: Is it Worth it?
    • Butcher Box Review 2022: My Honest Opinion
    • Daily Harvest Review 2022: My Honest Opinion
    • Green Chef Review 2022: My Honest Opinion

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for make-ahead meals, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. I’m the author of the Organize Yourself Skinny eBook & 30-day Workbook Bundle. Read More…

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • FAQS

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2021 Organize Yourself Skinny

    130 shares