Light Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach
Indulge in a lighter twist on a classic comfort food with this Light Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach. This creamy, cheesy dish balances indulgence and nutrition by using 2% milk and low-fat shredded cheddar, delivering all the rich, gooey satisfaction without the guilt. The addition of fresh baby spinach, sautéed until tender, adds a burst of color, flavor, and nutrients, creating a wholesome one-pot meal the whole family will love. Featuring a velvety cheese sauce enhanced with Parmesan and a touch of garlic powder, this recipe is ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it as a hearty standalone dish or pair it with a crisp side salad for a complete, satisfying meal.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 225 grams elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 500 milliliters 2% milk
- 120 grams low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 30 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 150 grams fresh baby spinach
- 1 teaspoons olive oil
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
In a large saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and bubbly.
Step 3
Gradually whisk in the 2% milk and continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4
Lower the heat and add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
Step 5
Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 6
In a separate large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh baby spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until wilted. Remove from heat.
Step 7
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until fully coated.
Step 8
Gently fold in the sautéed spinach until evenly distributed.
Step 9
Serve warm and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1087.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2022.9 |
| Total Fat 72.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 34.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g | |
| Cholesterol 174.9mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3780.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 218.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 31.5g | |
| Protein 105.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 210IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1975.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 13.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1005.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories