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Spinach Power Pesto Macaroni and Cheese
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Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
65 minutes
Elevate macaroni with pesto, spinach, three cheeses, and a decadent cheese and bread topping for the ultimate comfort meal upgrade.
Ingredients:
  • 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
  • 8 ounces baby spinach leaves, or to taste
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 0.25 cup prepared basil pesto, divided
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1.75 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 0.75 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 0.75 cup shredded Asiago cheese, divided
  • 4 slices multigrain bread with crusts, cubed
Instructions:
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a casserole dish.
  • 1. Heat a large pot of lightly salted water until boiling. 2. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes until al dente. 3. Add baby spinach to the pot during the last minute of cooking. 4. Drain the macaroni and spinach.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter and sauté onions until translucent for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant for about 1 minute. Whisk in 2 tablespoons pesto, flour, black pepper, and salt until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk and stir until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup Asiago cheese. Remove from heat and stir until cheeses are melted, about 1 minute.
  • Gently fold in the cheesy mixture into the macaroni; transfer everything into the prepared casserole dish and cover with foil.
  • After baking the casserole for 25 minutes, take it out of the oven and crank up the temperature to 450°F (230°C).
  • In a small saucepan, melt the last remaining tablespoon of butter. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of pesto, 1/4 cup each of Cheddar, Parmesan, and Asiago cheese, along with the bread cubes. Take the casserole dish out of the oven, uncover it, and sprinkle the bread mixture on top.
  • Bake the casserole with its delicious topping in a hot oven, uncovered, until it turns bubbly and golden, which should take around 10 minutes.

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