Each winter I find myself gravitating towards healthier recipe options.  Likely due to overeating during the holidays and less outdoor activity than during the warmer months.  Nonetheless, here I am again digging through my recipe archives to find the best tasting lower calorie recipes to share with you.  This lightened up Broccoli Cheese Casserole is light on calories but just as yummy as any full fat version I’ve had in the past.

It’s a super easy and figure friendly side for any weeknight family dinner or weekend dinner party.

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Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This lightened up Broccoli Cheese Casserole is light on calories but just as yummy as any full fat version I’ve had in the past.

Course Side Dish

Servings 8

Calories 151kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. 32 oz. broccoli florets (either frozen that’s thawed or fresh that’s lightly steamed)
• 1 ½ Cups fat-free milk
• 2 ½ Tbl. Flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 3 oz. shredded cheddar cheese I used combination of FF, reduced fat, and reg. cheddar & mozzarella
• 5 wedges Laughing Cow Light Garlic Herb
• ½ Cup Light or FF Mayo
• ¾ Cup chopped onion
• ¾ Cup panko crumbs
• 2 Tbl Butter melted I used 1 butter & 1 light butter spread
• Paprika

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 deg.
• Arrange broccoli in even layer in 11 x 7 baking dish coated with cooking spray: set aside.
• Combine milk, flour, salt and pepper in large saucepan over med-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add Laughing Cow & shredded cheese, stir until smooth. Stir in mayo & onion. Spoon evenly over broccoli.
• Toss panko with melted butter and sprinkle over broccoli cheese. Dust with paprika. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes until lightly browned and begins to bubble. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

3 WW PointsPlus+ per serving

The post Broccoli Cheese Casserole {Weight Watchers} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Breakfast.  Often a highlight of the weekend.  Preparing fresh dishes when I have time to thoughtfully consider the ingredients is so rewarding.  It’s my creative outlet for certain.  This morning we had Baked Grits & Eggs {with Spinach & Fresh Herbs}.

I made a batch of grits, added some cheeses (Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb and a little shredded cheddar), then stirred in a handful of fresh spinach leaves, and some chopped fresh herbs (lemony thyme, tarragon, and sage).  The grits on their own were so tasty.  Not sure why I don’t add fresh spinach & herbs….always.  When ready to assemble, I spooned grits into oiled ramekins, made a well in the center of each and added an egg.

The grits and eggs are baked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes until the whites are set.  A final sprinkling of cheese and salt & pepper and you’re ready to enjoy this carefully thought out and freshly delivered breakfast of Baked Grits & Eggs with Spinach & Fresh Herbs.

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Baked Grits & Eggs {with Spinach & Fresh Herbs}

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• olive oil for coating dishes
• 1 cup quick grits
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 Tbl. fresh herbs like lemony thyme, sage, tarragon
• 1/4 cup grated cheese like cheddar or parmesan
• 2 wedges Laughing Cow Light garlic & herb
• 1 Tbl. butter
• 4 large eggs
• salt & pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush four 8-ounce ramekins with olive oil.
• Prepare grits according to package instructions, then stir in fresh spinach & herbs, 2 Tbl. shredded cheese, 2 Laughing Cow wedges and cook until cheeses melt. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide grits among dishes, make a well in each, then crack an egg into each well; season. Bake on a baking dish for 20 minutes or until whites are set, rotating pan once halfway through.
• To serve top with remaining shredded cheese and freshly cracked pepper.

The post Baked Grits & Eggs {with Spinach & Fresh Herbs} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

From time to thyme we go on a low-carb kick.  Cauliflower has become the new potato in our house.  We’ve made Cauliflower Mash for years, but have recently begun turning it into other side dishes, like Cauliflower Rice, Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad, and Cauliflower Cheese Grits.

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Cauliflower Cheese Grits {Low-Carb Side}

A wonderful low-carb alternative to yummy creamy cheese grits.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 small head cauliflower
• 1/2 cup milk or cream
• 2-3 Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb cheese wedges
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• sea salt & freshly cracked pepper
• pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Trim cauliflower into florets, then chop in food processor in batches to about rice size pieces.
• Put chopped cauliflower in a medium sauce pan with 1/2 cup water. Over low heat gently simmer until liquid has absorbed. Add in milk/cream, then gradually add in cheeses, stirring to combine until cheese has melted. Add additional milk to desired consistency. Season will salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

Notes

Depending on the volume of chopped cauliflower, adjust milk & cheeses to desired consistency.

The post Cauliflower Cheese Grits {Low-Carb Side} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.