Kraft Spinach Mac Cheese With Bacon Recipes

SPINACH-BACON MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, bring about 4 quarts water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions.
• Add spinach at the last 30 seconds of cooking. Drain noodles and spinach.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring regularly, until crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan.
• Add flour to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until bubbly.
• Gradually add milk, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
• Add Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Continue to cook, whisking constantly. for about 2 to 3 minutes or until melted.
• Add cayenne pepper and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
• Add pasta-spinach mixture and 2/3 of the bacon to the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine.
• Lightly grease a casserole with cooking spray. Spoon pasta mixture into casserole. Top with the remaining 1/3 of the bacon and the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Bake in a 350 F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
• Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter.
• 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.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat while macaroni is cooking. Add flour and whisk until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in a little milk and continue whisking. Pour in remaining milk and add frozen spinach. Cook, whisking constantly, until spinach softens and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups Cheddar cheese; whisk until melted. Season sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Drain macaroni and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Cover with cheese sauce. Mix well. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler and broil until a golden crust forms on top, about 3 minutes.

SPINACH AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Return to Dutch oven; cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until crisp; remove to paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat butter and reserved bacon drippings over medium heat until butter is melted. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in flour, salt and pepper with whisk until smooth. Stir in milk; heat to boiling. Stir in cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
• Pour cheese sauce over pasta; stir until coated. Stir in spinach. Reserve 1/4 cup of the bacon; stir remaining bacon into pasta mixture. Divide pasta mixture among 6 serving bowls; garnish with reserved bacon.