Description
This Healthy Creamy Spinach Mac and Cheese is a vibrant, nutritious twist on the classic comfort food. Featuring tender macaroni pasta combined with a silky smooth spinach and cheese sauce, it’s low in fat, packed with greens, and ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch or side dish your family will love.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10.58 ounces (300 g) macaroni uncooked
Spinach Mixture
- 5.29 ounces (150 g) spinach, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt and white pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce
- ½ cup (50 g) mature cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
- 2-3 tablespoons (10 g) parmesan, coarsely grated
- 1¼ cups (280-300 ml) semi-skimmed milk (light milk)
- 1½ tablespoons (20 g) butter
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) flour
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Spinach Mixture: Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and garlic and fry gently, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the chopped spinach, season with sea salt and white pepper, and cook over medium-high heat for about 1 minute until the spinach reduces in volume while stirring continuously. Remove from heat before the mixture releases too much water. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until silky smooth. Set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour and whisk quickly to form a smooth paste. Gradually increase the heat and slowly pour in the semi-skimmed milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and begins bubbling. Remove from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes to thicken further.
- Combine Spinach, Cheese, and Sauce: Stir the pureed spinach mixture into the sauce. Add the grated mature cheddar and parmesan cheeses, stirring well until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and glossy.
- Mix Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce, season to taste with extra sea salt and white pepper if desired, and stir until the pasta is fully coated. Serve immediately for a comforting, nutritious meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat milk instead of semi-skimmed.
- You can substitute macaroni with other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli.
- To keep it vegan, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free cheese.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen, but thaw and drain excess water first.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Side
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
