– 8 ounces elbow macaroni
– 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
– 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups milk
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
– Olive oil spray (for coating breadcrumbs)
Creating One Pot Baked Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese is straightforward. Follow these steps:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
2. Cook Pasta: In a large oven-safe pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make Roux: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour while continuously whisking for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
4. Add Milk: Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
5. Incorporate Cheeses and Flavorings: Stir in the mozzarella cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Combine until the cheeses melt and create a creamy sauce.
6. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked macaroni, chopped spinach, and artichokes to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine thoroughly.
7. Prepare for Baking: In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish or leave it in the pot if it’s oven-safe. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top along with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.