Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni and Cheese

4.9
(8)

Another take on our beloved macaroni and cheese!

4
4
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni

  • 8 ounces baby spinach leaves, or to taste

  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided

  • 1 small onion, minced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ¼ cup prepared basil pesto, divided

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1 ¾ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

  • ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

  • ¾ cup shredded Asiago cheese, divided

  • 4 slices multigrain bread with crusts, cubed

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a casserole dish.

  2. 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. Add baby spinach to the pot in the last minute of cooking; drain.

  3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir garlic into onion mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk 2 tablespoons pesto, flour, black pepper, and salt into onion mixture until smooth; whisk milk in gradually. Cook and stir milk mixture until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes; stir in 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup Asiago cheese; remove saucepan from heat and stir until cheeses are melted, about 1 minute.

  4. Stir cheese mixture into macaroni mixture; pour into prepared casserole dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove casserole from oven; increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

  6. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan; stir in remaining 2 tablespoons pesto, 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup Asiago cheese, and bread cubes. Remove casserole dish from oven, uncover, and top with bread mixture.

  7. Bake casserole with topping in the preheated oven, uncovered, until bubbly and golden, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

778 Calories
46g Fat
55g Carbs
40g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 778
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 46g 59%
Saturated Fat 26g 129%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 1348mg 59%
Total Carbohydrate 55g 20%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 40g 79%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 1035mg 80%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 773mg 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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