Description
This creamed spinach mac and cheese combines the ultimate comfort food with a nutritious twist, featuring rich, cheesy goodness and vibrant flavors of fresh spinach. It’s a creamy, dreamy delight that will satisfy your cravings and sneak in those greens we all should be eating more of.
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Fresh spinach
- Frozen spinach (optional)
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- Gruyère cheese (optional)
- Whole milk
- 2% milk (optional)
- Non-dairy milk alternative (optional)
- Unsalted butter
- Olive oil (optional)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Onion powder (optional)
- Flour
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. If using frozen spinach, add it in and cook until heated through. Remove the spinach from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour to form a roux. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Fold the cooked pasta and spinach back into the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat all the pasta evenly. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to taste.
- If you want a crispy top, transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with extra cheese, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy goodness!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like feta, goat cheese, or even a sprinkle of blue cheese for a unique twist. For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked chicken, bacon, or beef crumbles to the mix. Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or parsley can brighten the dish, and you can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. This dish is perfect for meal prep; you can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.