Best 3 Chicken And Spinach Mac And Cheese Recipes
Chicken and spinach mac and cheese is an incredibly versatile dish that can be found on menus at popular chain restaurants and fine dining establishments alike and homemade versions can be made quickly and easily on a weeknight but fancy enough to serve to company on the weekend. The leading factor in determining the best recipe is the level of experience and time constraints of the cook. Some recipes call for making homemade macaroni noodles while others call for using store bought. Sauces can be made from scratch using a roux or bechamel sauce or can be simplified by using a jarred cheese sauce or packet of dry mix. The type of cheese used to make the sauce and whether other mix-ins like vegetables or even different proteins are added are additional choices that determine time and effort.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CHICKEN, SPINACH, AND CHEESE PASTA BAKE
Pasta, chicken, spinach, and cheese baked to bubbly perfection.
Provided by jr911
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot oil until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix penne pasta, onion, chicken, diced tomatoes, spinach, and cream cheese together in a baking dish until the cream cheese melts and coats everything. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until heated through and beginning to brown along the edges, about 15 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 544.2 calories, Carbohydrate 53.2 g, Cholesterol 85.3 mg, Fat 21.7 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 34.2 g, SaturatedFat 10.2 g, Sodium 331.9 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
CHICKEN MAC & CHEESE
In my family, a stick-to-your-ribs supper has protein, pasta and a good cheese like cheddar. This loaded mac works like a charm at potlucks. -Cynthia Huff, Flora, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 12 servings (1 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding broccoli during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onion, salt and pepper; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from pan., In same pan, melt butter. Stir in flour, paprika and cayenne until smooth; gradually whisk in milk and broth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese and mustard until cheese is melted., Add macaroni mixture and chicken to sauce. Heat through, stirring to combine.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 374 calories, Fat 17g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 467mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 22g protein.
SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe was a successful attempt at trying to feed my family more spinach. They loved it and now prefer this version to conventional mac and cheese.
Provided by Lenka McDonald
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.8 calories, Carbohydrate 41.2 g, Cholesterol 59.5 mg, Fat 20 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 466.6 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh spinach, chicken, and pasta will make a big difference in the final dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese will give the mac and cheese a rich, flavorful taste.
- Add some vegetables. Besides spinach, you can also add other vegetables to the mac and cheese, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini.
- Experiment with different seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper are all great seasonings to add to mac and cheese.
Conclusion:
Chicken and spinach mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and fresh spinach, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give this chicken and spinach mac and cheese recipe a try.
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