Smoky Spinach Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

SPINACH-BACON MAC & CHEESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Use slotted spoon to remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Add flour to drippings; cook and stir 1 min. or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened.
• Add 1 cup cheddar and Parmesan to saucepan; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until melted. Add pasta mixture and bacon; mix well.
• Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheddar. Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

SHANNON'S SMOKY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fill a pot with lightly-salted water and bring to a boil. Stir the macaroni into the water and return to a boil. Cook and occasionally stir until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk continually for 1 to 2 minutes to make a roux. Whisk 2 cups of the milk into the roux until smooth and then add the remaining milk. Raise the heat to medium-high and continue cooking and stirring until thickened, but not boiling. Stir the Gouda, Cheddar, Swiss, and 1 cup Parmesan cheese into the mixture; once the cheeses have melted completely, fold the drained macaroni into the mixture to coat. Pour the macaroni mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Stir 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl; sprinkle over the macaroni. Drizzle the olive oil over the bread crumbs.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest 10 minutes before cutting.

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat while macaroni is cooking. Add flour and whisk until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in a little milk and continue whisking. Pour in remaining milk and add frozen spinach. Cook, whisking constantly, until spinach softens and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups Cheddar cheese; whisk until melted. Season sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Drain macaroni and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Cover with cheese sauce. Mix well. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler and broil until a golden crust forms on top, about 3 minutes.

SMOKY MACARONI

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, saute red pepper and onion until tender. Combine soup and milk; stir into skillet. Add sausage, cheese and peas. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add macaroni; cook until heated through, 5-10 minutes longer.

SPINACH MAC & GOUDA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Place bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/2 cup.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 2 minutes). Add cheeses; stir until melted.
• Add spinach and macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring until well blended. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly.

SMOKY MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375-degrees F.
• Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain.
• Spray a 13 x 9 baking pan with Pam (cooking spray) or grease pan and set aside.
• In a large saucepan heat cream and evaporated milk (see note 1 in description), mustard, salt and pepper to boiling.
• Reduce heat and stir in cheese (see note 2 in description)with a whisk or a wooden spoon until melted and smooth.
• REMOVE FROM HEAT.
• Stir in tomatoes, onions and hotdogs or little smokies(if using).
• Put macaroni in baking pan and pour sauce over, mixing in the cheese sauce well so all the macaroni is well covered (this can be done in a separate saucepan or bowl but by mixing in the pan there is one less dish to wash).
• In a small bowl mix together bread crumbs and Parmesan (or if you are making your own bread crumbs in a blender you can add the Parmesan and just whirl the bread crumbs and Parmesan in the blender -- one less dish to wash).
• Sprinkle breadcrumb/Parmesan mixture over the macaroni/cheese in the baking dish.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

SMOKY SPINACH MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add shallots and garlic; cook 1 minute.
• Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Gradually add milk, cream, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended.
• Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 2 minutes).
• Add cheeses; stir until melted.
• Add spinach and macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring until well blended.
• Spoon mixture into a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
• Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly.