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Top down view of spinach macaroni cheese in white bowl, with fork to right and more macaroni cheese in bowl and saucepan at top.
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Creamy Spinach Mac and Cheese (Healthy)

This healthy, creamy spinach mac and cheese is full of colour, goodness and loads of deliciousness your family will love. Simple to make, low in fat and ready in as little as 20 minutes!
Course Lunch, Side
Cuisine vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 404kcal
Author Monika Dabrowski

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 10.58 ounces macaroni uncooked
  • 5.29 ounces spinach chopped
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup mature cheddar cheese coarsely grated
  • 2-3 tablespoons parmesan coarsely grated
  • 1¼ cups semi-skimmed milk/light milk
  • 1½ tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • Sea salt and white pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to the packet instructions (al dente is best).
  • While the pasta is cooking make the sauce. Heat up the oil and fry the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes over a low heat, stirring often, until softened. Add the spinach, stir, season and cook over a medium-high heat for about a minute, until the spinach has reduced in volume (stirring all the time). Remove from the heat before the mixture becomes watery. Puree until the mixture is silky smooth. Set aside.
  • In a saucepan melt the butter over a low heat, add the flour and quickly whisk until a paste forms. Increase the heat and gradually add the milk whisking all the time until the sauce thickens and starts bubbling up. Remove from the heat and set aside for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further.
  • Add the spinach mixture, cheese and stir thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Add the pasta, season to taste, stir and serve.

Notes

  • Do NOT cook the spinach, only heat it up to reduce in volume.
  • I recommend using baby spinach if possible as it's tastier than regular, mature spinach.
  • Cook the macaroni a little al dente (for better texture). 
  • If you've cooked the pasta ahead and it's cooled by the time you've made the sauce you can reheat the pasta in the microwave before combining with the sauce.
  • You can also crumble a vegetarian stock cube into the sauce as it's cooking for more depth of flavour (and omit the salt).
  • Best served immediately.
  • Freeze the sauce without the pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve defrost then heat up and combine with freshly cooked pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3086IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 2mg