Best 4 Macaroni And Cheese With Greek Yogurt And Spinach Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be easily made at home. This recipe adds a healthy twist to the classic dish by using Greek yogurt and spinach. The Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor and creaminess, while the spinach adds a boost of nutrients. This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables, and it's also a delicious and satisfying meal for adults.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH GREEK YOGURT AND SPINACH



Macaroni and Cheese with Greek Yogurt and Spinach image

An awesome take on macaroni and cheese! Fat-free Greek yogurt and low-fat cream cheese gives the sauce a very creamy and flavorful base--without all the fat found in heavy cream--and shredded cheeses add lots of intense flavor. Fresh spinach and salty prosciutto perfectly complement the dish!

Provided by Katie Mancuso

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package dried elbow macaroni
4 thin slices prosciutto, or more to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt
½ (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
1 ½ cups shredded white Cheddar cheese
3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach

Steps:

  • Set an oven rack to the top position and preheat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • 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. Drain macaroni, reserving 2 1/2 cups pasta water. Pour macaroni back into the pot.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, place prosciutto on the prepared baking pan.
  • Cook prosciutto on the top rack of the preheated oven until dry and crispy, but not burnt, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and chop roughly. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lower the rack to the middle position.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute. Add garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and pepper; cook for 1 minute more. Whisk in Greek yogurt and cook until heated through and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the reserved pasta water; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add a generous 1/4 cup each of Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses, stirring until thoroughly melted; repeat until all cheese had been added and sauce is thick. Stir in as much of the remaining pasta water as necessary to reach desired consistency.
  • Stir spinach into the cooked macaroni. Add cheese sauce; stir until combined and macaroni is coated. Pour into the prepared baking pan and sprinkle prosciutto over top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until edges are bubbling slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.3 calories, Carbohydrate 32.2 g, Cholesterol 49.6 mg, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 16.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 241.4 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH GREEK YOGURT AND SPINACH



Macaroni and Cheese with Greek Yogurt and Spinach image

An awesome take on macaroni and cheese! Fat-free Greek yogurt and low-fat cream cheese gives the sauce a very creamy and flavorful base--without all the fat found in heavy cream--and shredded cheeses add lots of intense flavor. Fresh spinach and salty prosciutto perfectly complement the dish!

Provided by Katie Mancuso

Categories     Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package dried elbow macaroni
4 thin slices prosciutto, or more to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt
½ (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
1 ½ cups shredded white Cheddar cheese
3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach

Steps:

  • Set an oven rack to the top position and preheat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • 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. Drain macaroni, reserving 2 1/2 cups pasta water. Pour macaroni back into the pot.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, place prosciutto on the prepared baking pan.
  • Cook prosciutto on the top rack of the preheated oven until dry and crispy, but not burnt, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and chop roughly. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lower the rack to the middle position.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute. Add garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and pepper; cook for 1 minute more. Whisk in Greek yogurt and cook until heated through and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the reserved pasta water; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add a generous 1/4 cup each of Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses, stirring until thoroughly melted; repeat until all cheese had been added and sauce is thick. Stir in as much of the remaining pasta water as necessary to reach desired consistency.
  • Stir spinach into the cooked macaroni. Add cheese sauce; stir until combined and macaroni is coated. Pour into the prepared baking pan and sprinkle prosciutto over top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until edges are bubbling slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.3 calories, Carbohydrate 32.2 g, Cholesterol 49.6 mg, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 16.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 241.4 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

YOGURT MAC AND CHEESE



YOGURT MAC AND CHEESE image

Yogurt Mac and Cheese with Spinach!! - Lower cal and ANY pasta works... any cheese from - mariakitchen12.blogspot.com/2015/03/creamy-greek-yogurt-and-cheese.html

Provided by fnljohnson

Categories     Spinach

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 ounces about 2 cups pasta (I used whole wheat Macaroni)
8 ounces about 2 cups shredded cheese (Cheddar and Mozzarella)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cups fresh spinach
1 dash salt & pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Directions.
  • Cook the pasta (I used macaroni) according to the package's instructions (about 8-10 minutes), until al dente.
  • Place the spinach leaves in the bottom of a strainer, and pour the pasta over top to drain and wilt the spinach. Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the cooked macaroni and wilted spinach to the pot.
  • Add about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pot, and stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in the greek yogurt, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, until smooth and creamy. Stir in the remaining pasta water to thin, if necessary. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.9, Fat 14.8, SaturatedFat 8.9, Cholesterol 36.4, Sodium 564, Carbohydrate 47.8, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 1.6, Protein 19

SPINACH MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spinach Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Spinach Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lori Mama

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups macaroni pasta, cooked
1 cup chopped cooked spinach
2 cups hot milk
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons horseradish
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425.
  • In medium sized pot, over medium heat, melt butter.
  • Add the flour and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Pour in the hot milk and cook until thickened.
  • Add the spinach, cheese, seasonings, horseradish and mustard.
  • Mix well.
  • Combine with the cooked pasta.
  • Place in a greased cassarole dish.
  • Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until bubbling.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh spinach, creamy Greek yogurt, and flavorful cheese will make all the difference in this dish.
  • Don't overcook the spinach: Spinach cooks very quickly, so just a few minutes in boiling water is all it needs to become tender and vibrant.
  • Use a good quality cheese: A sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese will add a lot of flavor to the dish.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses: Try using a blend of cheeses or a different type of cheese altogether, such as Gouda or Gruyère.
  • Serve immediately: This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, when the cheese is melted and bubbly and the spinach is still tender.

Conclusion:

This macaroni and cheese with Greek yogurt and spinach is a delicious and healthy twist on a classic comfort food. It's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a potluck party. With its creamy sauce, tender spinach, and flavorful cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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