Spinach Artichoke Mac Cheese Recipe By Tasty

LIGHTENED-UP SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Special equipment: a broiler-safe 2-quart baking dish
• Position an oven rack at the center of the oven, and preheat the broiler.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water; strain the pasta.
• Wipe out the pot. Add the butter, and melt over medium heat. Add the shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and whisk constantly until it begins to toast, about 2 minutes. (The flour will form a thick paste, but that's okay; just keep it moving in the pot.) Whisk in the milk and the reserved pasta water, and whisk constantly until the mixture is thick like gravy, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the sour cream, 2/3 cup of the mozzarella, the Swiss cheese and 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan. Once the cheeses have melted, add the spinach, and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in the artichoke hearts, pasta, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a broiler-safe 2-quart baking dish.
• Stir together the remaining 1/3 cup mozzarella and 3 tablespoons Parmesan in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pasta. Broil until golden and bubbly, about 2 minutes.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In a large saucepan over medium high heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
• Add flour and cook, stirring 1 minute. Pour in milk and continue whisking until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Stir in cream cheese when melted.
• Remove pan from heat and whisk in mozzarella and a cup of parmesan. Continue whisking until melted and smooth.
• Stir in spinach, artichoke, and cooked pasta and transfer to prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup parmesan with panko and melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over macaroni.
• Bake until bubbly and golden, about 30 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.