Best 5 Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Spinach power pesto macaroni and cheese is a delightful dish that combines the flavors of creamy macaroni and cheese with the vibrant taste of pesto and the health benefits of spinach. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as a comforting meal for gatherings. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, making it a favorite among both adults and children. So, if you're looking for a delicious and nutritious meal that's easy to prepare, this spinach power pesto macaroni and cheese recipe is the perfect choice for you!

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH POWER PESTO MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni and Cheese image

Another take on our beloved macaroni and cheese!

Provided by Phoebe

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Pesto Pasta Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

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

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a casserole dish.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stir cheese mixture into macaroni mixture; pour into prepared casserole dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove casserole from oven; increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • 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.
  • Bake casserole with topping in the preheated oven, uncovered, until bubbly and golden, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 778.2 calories, Carbohydrate 54.8 g, Cholesterol 120.7 mg, Fat 45.8 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 39.5 g, SaturatedFat 25.8 g, Sodium 1348.1 mg, Sugar 8 g

SPINACH POWER PESTO MACARONI AND CHEESE



Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni and Cheese image

Another take on our beloved macaroni and cheese!

Provided by Phoebe

Categories     Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

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

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a casserole dish.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stir cheese mixture into macaroni mixture; pour into prepared casserole dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove casserole from oven; increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • 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.
  • Bake casserole with topping in the preheated oven, uncovered, until bubbly and golden, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 778.2 calories, Carbohydrate 54.8 g, Cholesterol 120.7 mg, Fat 45.8 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 39.5 g, SaturatedFat 25.8 g, Sodium 1348.1 mg, Sugar 8 g

SPINACH PESTO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY



Spinach Pesto Pasta Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: chicken breast, salt, pepper, spaghetti, fresh spinach, walnuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil

Provided by Hitomi Aihara

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 chicken breast
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
8 oz spaghetti, cooked according to package
4 cups fresh spinach
½ cup walnuts
4 cloves garlic
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • In a food processor, add all ingredients to make pesto and blend until walnuts are finely blended.
  • In a hot pan, add olive oil and cook chicken breast. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove the chicken and slice.
  • Combine the chicken and pesto sauce into spaghetti and mix until the sauce fully coats the pasta.
  • Serve and top it off with parmesan cheese.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 627 calories, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 23 grams, Sugar 2 grams

SPINACH PESTO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY



Spinach Pesto Pasta Bake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: fresh spinach, fresh basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, whole wheat pasta, cherry tomato, mozzarella cheese

Provided by Kahnita Wilkerson

Categories     Dinner

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups fresh spinach
1 cup fresh basil
¾ cup pine nuts
¼ cup parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic
salt, to taste
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
1 box whole wheat pasta, prepared
2 cups cherry tomato, halved
½ cup mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a blender or food processor, add the spinach, basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil.
  • Blend until you reach a creamy consistency. Set aside.
  • Add the pasta to a large bowl then add the tomatoes. Pour the pesto onto the pasta and mix well to combine.
  • Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with mozzarella.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes.
  • Carefully remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 6 grams, Sugar 2 grams

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:

  • For a creamier pesto sauce, use more olive oil.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute walnuts or almonds.
  • To make the pesto sauce ahead of time, simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For a gluten-free version of this recipe, use gluten-free pasta.
  • If you don't have mascarpone cheese, you can substitute cream cheese or sour cream.
  • To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the bacon.
  • For a spicier pesto sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Garnish the finished dish with fresh basil or parsley.

Conclusion:

Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni and Cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The pesto sauce is creamy and flavorful, and the macaroni and cheese is cooked to perfection. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Related Topics