MAC AND CHEESE !!

I could eat mac and cheese for every meal for the rest of my life. It is so creamy and delicious. But, sometimes the same old recipe gets a little old. Introducing spinach mac and cheese, it’s filled with garlic, Parmesan, and buttery goodness. I wouldn’t pass up on this one!

This recipe is a great way to use up any old veggies in your fridge. I managed to use up some mushrooms that I forgot I bought and a small yellow onion. Feel free to add any veggies that you have laying around. Celery, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cabbage and broccoli would all taste amazing with this cheesy mac.

This mac is super easy to make and doesn’t take very many ingredients, or much time. This is something you can whip up super quickly and honestly something that everyone will love. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?

This spinach mac and cheese takes about 30 minutes to cook, and about 5 minutes of prep. You start by cooking your noodles and then cutting your veggies into small pieces. Then, you cook your veggies in butter on a pan and add heavy cream, Parmesan, seasonings and pasta water. Mix it all together and you’re good to go!

Let’s get into the recipe:

 

 

 

MAC AND CHEESE !!

I could eat mac and cheese for every meal for the rest of my life. It is so creamy and delicious. But, sometimes the same old recipe gets a little old. Introducing spinach mac and cheese, it’s filled with garlic, Parmesan, and buttery goodness. I wouldn’t pass up on this one!

This recipe is a great way to use up any old veggies in your fridge. I managed to use up some mushrooms that I forgot I bought and a small yellow onion. Feel free to add any veggies that you have laying around. Celery, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cabbage and broccoli would all taste amazing with this cheesy mac.

This mac is super easy to make and doesn’t take very many ingredients, or much time. This is something you can whip up super quickly and honestly something that everyone will love. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?

This spinach mac and cheese takes about 30 minutes to cook, and about 5 minutes of prep. You start by cooking your noodles and then cutting your veggies into small pieces. Then, you cook your veggies in butter on a pan and add heavy cream, Parmesan, seasonings and pasta water. Mix it all together and you’re good to go!

Let’s get into the recipe:

 

%

Difficulty: Super Easy

Nutrition 

  • Protien 5% 5%
  • Carbs 50% 50%
  • Fat 45% 45%

ratio is key

 

This spinach mac and cheese is made with Parmesan to blend nicely with the flavor of the spinach. A blend of butter, heavy cream and cheese is essential to get the best flavor from this dish.

Starting with 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, the flavor begins to build. Cooking the veggies in this butter until they are tender allows them to take on the buttery flavor.

After the veggies are cooked completely, 1/2 cup of heavy cream is added to make the mixture thick and creamy. Allowing this to simmer for 10-15 minutes enhances the flavor even more.

Finally the cheese is added. This step adds a robust flavor. Along with a 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, I added 1/4 cup of cream cheese and a 1/4 cup of sour cream. Blending these flavors creates the creamiest, most delicious mac and cheese.

 

 

ratio is key

 

This spinach mac and cheese is made with Parmesan to blend nicely with the flavor of the spinach. A blend of butter, heavy cream and cheese is essential to get the best flavor from this dish.

Starting with 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, the flavor begins to build. Cooking the veggies in this butter until they are tender allows them to take on the buttery flavor.

After the veggies are cooked completely, 1/2 cup of heavy cream is added to make the mixture thick and creamy. Allowing this to simmer for 10-15 minutes enhances the flavor even more.

Finally the cheese is added. This step adds a robust flavor. Along with a 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, I added 1/4 cup of cream cheese and a 1/4 cup of sour cream. Blending these flavors creates the creamiest, most delicious mac and cheese.

 

 

health benefits of spinach

 

Spinach is an incredible veggie. It is a dark leafy green vegetable meaning that it is rich in vitamins A, C and K. Vitamin A is incredible for eyesight, while vitamins C and K are great for the immune system and blood clotting.

Spinach is also rich in folate which is great for preventing neural tube defects in developing infants. Spinach is also full of fiber which is helpful for gastrointestinal issues.

In this recipe in particular, I added about four handfuls of baby spinach. Of course, spinach cooks down a lot in comparison to other veggies. So feel free to add as much or as little as you feel is appropriate.

Spinach also has a very mild flavor. It is great to add to almost any dish regardless of whether that dish is sweet or savory. I love adding pureed spinach to sweet things like brownies, smoothies or oatmeal!

 

 

health benefits of spinach

 

Spinach is an incredible veggie. It is a dark leafy green vegetable meaning that it is rich in vitamins A, C and K. Vitamin A is incredible for eyesight, while vitamins C and K are great for the immune system and blood clotting.

Spinach is also rich in folate which is great for preventing neural tube defects in developing infants. Spinach is also full of fiber which is helpful for gastrointestinal issues.

In this recipe in particular, I added about four handfuls of baby spinach. Of course, spinach cooks down a lot in comparison to other veggies. So feel free to add as much or as little as you feel is appropriate.

Spinach also has a very mild flavor. It is great to add to almost any dish regardless of whether that dish is sweet or savory. I love adding pureed spinach to sweet things like brownies, smoothies or oatmeal!

 

 

the recipe

 

 

 

Ingredients

    • 1/2 box of elbow noodles
    • 1/2 cup of heavy cream
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 yellow onion, chopped
    • 4 handfuls of baby spinach
    • 4 large mushrooms, chopped
    • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 1/4 cup chicken broth
    • 1/4 cup sour cream
    • 1/4 cup cream cheese
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
    • 1/2 tablespoon basil
    • 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • salt to taste

    servings

    Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1

    Add your butter, chopped onion, minced garlic and chopped mushroom to a large pan on medium heat. 

    Step 2

    Boil your noodles. Be sure to save 1 and 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining.

    Step 3

    Once your vegges are tender, add heavy cream and broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes.

    Step 4

    After simmering, add seasonings, cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. 

    Step 5

    Once the noodles are drained, add them to your cheese sauce. Stir well and then add the egg, be sure to stir well to avoid scrambled eggs. 

    Step 6

    Finally, add your spinach and stir until the spinach is cooked completely.