Best 2 Green Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Green mac and cheese is a vibrant and flavorful twist on the classic comfort food. It gets its verdant hue from the addition of spinach, kale, or other leafy green vegetables, which are blended into a creamy cheese sauce. This unique dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients, making it a healthier alternative to traditional mac and cheese.

This article provides three delectable recipes for green mac and cheese, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The first recipe features a classic cheddar cheese sauce infused with spinach and fresh herbs, resulting in a creamy and flavorful dish. The second recipe takes a more adventurous approach, incorporating pesto and roasted red peppers for a zesty and colorful twist. Lastly, the third recipe caters to vegan and dairy-free preferences, using a creamy cashew sauce and nutritional yeast to create a rich and satisfying mac and cheese experience.

Whether you're looking for a fun and creative way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet or simply craving a delicious and comforting meal, these green mac and cheese recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create a vibrant and unforgettable mac and cheese dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HONEY BOURBON GLAZED SMOKED SPARERIBS, WITH BEER BACON BBQ SAUCE AND SOUTHWESTERN GREEN CHILI MAC 'N' CHEESE



Honey Bourbon Glazed Smoked Spareribs, with Beer Bacon BBQ sauce and Southwestern Green Chili Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 8h50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 39

1/2 cup bourbon
2/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup diced white onion
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
One 12-ounce bottle of your favorite beer
1/2 cup cooked bacon, coarsely chopped
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons brisket drippings
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
Kosher salt and pepper
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup coarse black pepper
1/8 cup Korean chile powder
1/8 cup granulated garlic
Canola oil, for rubbing the ribs and smoker grates
2 racks pork spareribs
1 cup apple cider vinegar, in a spray bottle
Garnish: sliced green onions
4 to 6 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon chipotle hot sauce
1 teaspoon ground roasted cumin
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup shredded American cheese
1 pound medium pasta shells, cooked to al dente
1 cup diced cooked green chiles
1 cup shredded jack cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
1 cup shredded smoked Gouda
Kosher salt and pepper
2/3 cup toasted buttered breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Korean chile powder

Steps:

  • For the honey bourbon glaze: Pour the bourbon into a saucepan over low heat; ignite bourbon to burn off the alcohol for about 5 minutes. Add the honey and brown sugar and whisk to thicken. Simmer for another 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Pour glaze into a small bowl and set aside.
  • For the beer bacon bbq sauce: Heat a large pot on high heat, then add the butter and let it melt for 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add the onions and garlic. Saute until translucent. Add the beer and bacon and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the apple cider vinegar and reduce by a quarter, then add ketchup, molasses, granulated sugar, brisket drippings, chili powder, Worcestershire, salt and pepper and cook on low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool for 10 minutes, then puree in a blender until smooth, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • For the ribs: Whisk together the salt, pepper, chile powder and garlic powder in a small bowl. Drizzle a little canola oil over the ribs, front and back, then rub the oil in. Holding your hand high, season both sides of the ribs with rub. Be sure to get an even coating on both sides, along with the sides of the ribs.
  • Soak 5 to 6 paper towels with canola oil, then open the smoker lid and place soaked paper towels in the smoker with 1 chunk hickory, 2 small chunks apple wood and a few handfuls charcoal. Light the paper towels. Let the coals burn down for 20 to 30 minutes. Add a couple more chunks hickory, apple and charcoal, then let smoker come up to 250 degrees F. Place a small pan of water on smoker rack, then place ribs in smoker. Let cook 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Add another chunk of each wood and more charcoal; repeat this process every 30 to 45 minutes. At 2 hours into the cooking process, spritz ribs with apple cider vinegar, then spritz every 30 minutes until the third hour of cooking. At the third hour, wrap the ribs in foil and place back on the smoker. At the 4 1/2-hour mark, take the ribs out of foil and glaze with the honey bourbon. Let glaze set in for 20 to 30 minutes in the smoker meat-side up. Let ribs rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then slice. Drizzle ribs with Beer Bacon BBQ sauce and toss. Garnish the ribs with sliced scallions.
  • For the Southwestern Green Chili Mac 'n' Cheese: Meanwhile, heat four cups half-and-half to a gentle boil in a medium-large saucepot. Add the garlic, chipotle sauce, cumin, seafood seasoning and thyme, then add the American cheese, whisking until smooth and melted. Fold in the pasta and green chiles and heat through until lightly bubbly. Add the shredded jack, Cheddar and Gouda. If the pasta is too thick, add in another cup or two of half-and-half to smooth it out. Season to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper. Garnish with toasted buttered breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of Korean chile flakes.
  • If you prefer baked mac 'n' cheese, place pasta into a casserole dish, sprinkle a handful of extra Cheddar and jack cheeses on top and bake at 350 degrees F until browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

GREEN MAC AND CHEESE



Green Mac and Cheese image

I made this recipe after seeing a spicy mac and cheese on TV. There was no recipe, so I just made one up. While it didn't seem very spicy to me, it came out delightfully creamy and gooey with just a hint of a kick.

Provided by Geeksr

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 48m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 large Anaheim chile peppers, stems removed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 pinch salt and ground white pepper to taste
1 cup elbow macaroni
½ sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place Anaheim peppers in a blender and blend, adding olive oil as needed to create a smooth paste.
  • Heat cream in a pot over medium heat; stir in butter. Add Anaheim pepper paste, pepper Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Mexican cheese blend; cook, stirring constantly, until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.
  • 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, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Stir cheese sauce into elbow macaroni; transfer to a casserole dish and top with crushed crackers.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until topping is browned and cheese is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 652.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.2 g, Cholesterol 146 mg, Fat 52.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 28.6 g, Sodium 797.7 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make sure the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. You can add more milk or cream if needed.
  • Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavor.
  • Add vegetables to your mac and cheese. This is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.
  • Garnish your mac and cheese with fresh herbs or breadcrumbs. This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Green mac and cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a green mac and cheese recipe that everyone will love.

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