PARMESAN SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE

Parmesan Spinach Mac and Cheese - This quick macaroni and cheese recipe is an easy, satisfying mac and cheese with spinach. Ready in 30 minutes. Vegetarian.

This parmesan spinach mac and cheese is an easy, satisfying recipe for busy weeknights.

Side photo of cavatappi pasta with white sauce and spinach inside a large saucepan

I got four different emails this morning from blogger friends who made “detox” or “healthy” or “goddess” geggie-packed recipe things (<– side note, WTF is “goddess” food and someone please tell me why and how this is a thing).

But friends, I’m just gonna let you know now: that is very much NOT how we will be rolling today.

Because in Life As A Strawberry land, where I am somehow the dinnertime cruise director (and am maybe also a little bit drunk with power), we will be enjoying some CARBS that I have COVERED IN CHEESE.

But also there is spinach. Soooo…health food?
Side photo of cavatappi pasta in white sauce with spinach in a shallow white bowl on a dark grey background.
This particular spinach mac and cheese recipe is a riff on my faaaaavorite parmesan sauce (which, as you might know,.
BUT! I’ve simplified the recipe even more today so that this here mac and cheese is ready in 30 minutes. With basically no prep required. Because we have THINGS to do, right?
We’re talking six basic steps to spinach mac and cheese weeknight world domination:
  1. Make pasta.
  2. Whisk sauce.
  3. Add spinach.
  4. Add cheese.
  5. Cover pasta in spinach cheese sauce.
  6. Stuff the pasta in your face.
Overhead photo of cavatappi pasta with white sauce and spinach in a shallow white bowl on a dark grey background with a dark linen napkin in the corner

Side photo of corkscrew pasta with white sauce and spinach in a large dark grey saucepan with a silver serving spoon

PARMESAN SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE


     
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
    •  
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
    •  
  • Yield: Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 lb. cavatappi pasta
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 3 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups milk (I used 1%)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook the pasta in very salty water until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Return empty pasta pot to stove and turn the heat to medium.
  3. Add butter to pot and heat until just melted.
  4. Whisk flour into butter and let cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Slowly stream milk into pot, whisking constantly to break up any lumps of flour. Cook, whisking occasionally, until sauce has thickened and just begun to simmer, about 7-10 minutes.
  6. Stir chopped spinach, salt, and pepper into sauce and cook 1-2 minutes more until spinach has wilted.
  7. Remove sauce from heat.
  8. Add cream cheese and shredded parmesan cheese to sauce and stir until cheese has melted.
  9. Return cooked pasta to sauce and stir to coat. Serve immediately.

NOTES

Buy good parmesan cheese and shred it yourself – pre-shredded cheese is sometimes coated with preservatives  that will prevent it from melting smoothly.
Substitute 1 cup of frozen spinach for the fresh spinach if you like. Fresh arugula can also be used in place of the spinach.
Don’t forget to add plenty of fresh ground pepper to this pasta!
Add artichoke hearts, garlic, onions, and/or sautéed mushrooms to this macaroni and cheese for an extra boost of vegetables. You could also add steamed broccoli, peas, corn, or bell pepper.
For extra protein, add chicken, shrimp, bacon, or smoked salmon. Cook the meat separately and stir it into the pasta when you’re ready to serve.
Strict vegetarians can make this recipe with vegetarian parmesan cheese (the kind that does not contain rennet).
Nutritions Fact
Serves 5
Calories Per Serving: 541
% DAILY VALUE
32%Total Fat 21g
19%Cholesterol 56.1mg
24%Sodium 579.5mg
20%Total Carbohydrate 61.4g
Sugars 7.3g
52%Protein 26.1g
43%Vitamin A 390.7µg
10%Vitamin C 6mg

Komentar

Posting Komentar