This Spinach Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender spinach—so you get all the cozy vibes of classic macaroni and cheese with a bonus pop of color and flavor.
What I really love about this recipe is how customizable it is. You can play around with different cheese combinations, adjust the seasoning to your taste, and even add extras like vegetables (to create Vegetable Mac and Cheese) or crispy bacon (to create Mac and Cheese with Bacon!) It’s a great weeknight dinner and just as good for a casual family gathering.
If you’re a lover of Macaroni and Cheese, you may with to try our recipes for Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese (a big-time favorite) and Lobster Macaroni and Cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s ultra creamy and cheesy!
- It’s an easy stovetop recipe.
- If you have fresh spinach, it’s a great way to use it up.
- It’s customizable with your favorite cheeses.
- It’s total comfort food that the whole family loves- just like my Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Ingredients Needed:
- Butter and onion: Create a flavorful base for the sauce
- Flour and milk: Form a classic creamy béchamel
- Fresh spinach: Adds color, flavor, and nutrients
- White cheddar: Sharp, classic mac-and-cheese flavor
- Smoked gouda: Adds a subtle smoky note
- Goat cheese: Creamy and tangy
- Elbow macaroni: Traditional and perfect for holding sauce
How to Make Spinach Mac and Cheese
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in flour and cook until lightly golden.
- Slowly whisk in whole milk, then 2% milk. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened (10 to 12 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
- Add spinach and stir until wilted.
- Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly grated cheese for best melting.
- Keep heat moderate when adding cheese to prevent grainy sauce.
- Don’t use low-fat cheese—it won’t melt properly.
- Add a splash of milk if sauce thickens too much.
Optional Add-Ins
- Toasted breadcrumbs on top
- Crispy bacon
- Roasted broccoli or mushrooms
- Grilled chicken
What to Serve with Spinach Mac and Cheese
- Mixed green salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Tomato soup
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk.
Spinach Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup finely minced sweet onion
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups 2% milk
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cups (4.5 ounces) fresh spinach leaves, cut into ½-inch strips
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- ⅔ cup shredded smoked Gouda
- ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in flour until mixture is golden. Add whole milk, whisking constantly. Add 2% milk; raise heat to medium-high, bring to a boil and continue to whisk until sauce is smooth and thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Add spinach to sauce; give it a few stirs until spinach is wilted. Stir in cheeses until melted and well combined. Add cooked pasta and stir. Taste and add more salt and/or pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To cut spinach leaves, stack leaves on top of each other and use knife to cut into ½ inch strips.
- Use any combination of cheeses you prefer (no low fat versions) for a total of 2 cups of cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
