Get Creative With Mac and Cheese 3 Delicious Ways

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE MAC & CHEESE

Ingredients

• 1 box macaroni
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup parmesan, shredded
• salt and pepper
• red pepper flakes or hot sauce, to taste
• 1 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bag of baby spinach
• 1 can artichoke hearts, drained

For even more awesomeness, replace 1 cup of the shredded cheddar with one cup of cream cheese

Instructions

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, gently heat milk and cream. Do not let it come to a boil.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
4. Once the butter is melted and frothy, add flour and whisk.
5. Whisk constantly until the butter and flour mixture are totally combined and become a golden brown colour – about two or three minutes. This is called a roux.
6. Carefully pour your milk and cream into your roux, whisking constantly. Use extreme caution as the mixture will bubble up and you don’t want to burn yourself.
7. Continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and has thickened – another one or two minutes.
8. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and whisk until it has fully melted.
9. Add the shredded parmesan and whisk until it has fully melted.
10. Add salt, pepper and any other seasonings you’d like, stirring constantly.
11. Pour cheese mixture over macaroni and stir thoroughly.
12. In a large saucepan or frying pan, melt butter.
13. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute.
14. Add artichoke hearts and baby spinach.
15. Cover for two or three minutes until spinach is wilted.
16. Pour spinach and artichoke mixture over mac and cheese and stir thoroughly until combined.
17. For baked mac and cheese, pour mac and cheese into a casserole dish or individual ramekins.
18. Top with breadcrumbs and more shaved parmesan and bake at 350 until the breadcrumbs have become golden brown.

Enjoy!

Chili Mac & Cheese is on page four.