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Creamed Spinach Mac & Cheese

Creamed Spinach Mac & Cheese for Comfort Food Lovers

Creamed Spinach Mac & Cheese combines creamy cheese and vibrant spinach for a comforting vegetarian dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni Consider using gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt For flavoring the pasta water.
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Ideal for sautéing onions and garlic.
  • 1 medium Onion Finely chopped.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour This thickens your cheese sauce.
  • 2 cups Whole Milk Adds creaminess to the sauce.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Ensures richness.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg A pinch deepens the flavors.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper Essential seasoning.
For the Spinach and Cheese
  • 10 ounces Frozen Chopped Spinach Thawed and drained.
  • 1 1/2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese Main flavor contributor.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Adds umami.
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder Optional.
For the Crunchy Topping
  • 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs Optional for crunchy texture.

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • Whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Creamed Spinach Mac & Cheese
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Boil salted water in a large pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, add onions and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft.
  4. Stir in 1/4 cup of flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  5. Whisk in 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream into the roux, cooking for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
  6. Season with ground nutmeg and black pepper, then stir in spinach, 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan until melted.
  7. Combine the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring all pasta is well-coated.
  8. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish and top with panko breadcrumbs if desired.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  10. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra creaminess, consider incorporating cream cheese or sour cream. Cover with foil during the first half of baking to prevent over-browning.

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