Best 9 Spinach And Bacon Mac Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight that harmoniously blends the flavors of spinach, bacon, and creamy macaroni and cheese. This irresistible dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender spinach, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and al dente pasta. The spinach adds a vibrant green hue and a subtle earthy flavor, while the bacon contributes a smoky, savory crunch. The combination of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, creates a rich, velvety sauce that coats every strand of pasta, resulting in a luscious and satisfying bite. Whether you're looking for a comforting family meal or a dish to impress your guests, this spinach and bacon mac and cheese is sure to be a hit.

In addition to the classic spinach and bacon mac and cheese, the article also offers variations to cater to different preferences. For a lighter version, try the spinach and turkey bacon mac and cheese, which uses ground turkey bacon instead of traditional bacon. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, the spinach and roasted red pepper mac and cheese is a delightful choice, featuring roasted red peppers that add a sweet and tangy flavor. And for those who enjoy a bit of heat, the spicy spinach and bacon mac and cheese incorporates diced jalapenos and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a fiery kick. With its diverse selection of recipes, this article provides something for every palate, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE



Spinach and Bacon Mac and Cheese image

Macaroni and cheese goes upscale, featuring bow-tie pasta, bacon and spinach. This delicious dish can serve six in just 25 minutes.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups uncooked bow-tie (farfalle) pasta (8 oz)
1/2 lb sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1 bag (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 470, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving (1 Cup), Sodium 810 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 1/2 g

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE



Spinach Mac And Cheese image

This recipe was a successful attempt at trying to feed my family more spinach. They loved it and now prefer this version to conventional mac and cheese.

Provided by Lenka McDonald

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

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 teaspoon butter
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 pound frozen chopped spinach, not thawed
3 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.8 calories, Carbohydrate 41.2 g, Cholesterol 59.5 mg, Fat 20 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 466.6 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

SPINACH AND BACON MAC & CHEESE



SPINACH AND BACON MAC & CHEESE image

I MAKE MY MAC & CHEESE HOMEMADE, BUT THIS RECIPE CALLS TO USE KRAFT MACARONI & CHEESE HOMESTYLE DINNER CLASSIC WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE. I MIGHT BREAK AND JUST MAKE IT THE RECIPE WAY OR GO THE LONG ROUTE AND MAKE IT MY WAY. EITHER WAY IT SOUNDS GREAT....

Provided by Kimi Gaines

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 4

12.6 oz kraft homestyle macaroni & cheese dinner classic cheddar cheese sauce
2 c baby spinach
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
4 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • 1. PREPARE DINNER IN LARGE SAUCEPAN AS DIRECTED ON PACKAGE EXCEPT DO NOT TOP WITH BREAD CRUMBS.
  • 2. STIR IN SPINACH AND PEPPER; COOK AND STIR 2 MINUTES OR JUST UNTIL SPINACH IS WILTED.
  • 3. STIR IN BACON. SPRINKLE WITH CRUMB MIXTURE.

BACON-SPINACH MAC & CHEESE



Bacon-Spinach Mac & Cheese image

Make a mac & cheese dinner a little heartier (and more colorful) by adding chopped spinach and crumbled bacon.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Dairy

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pkg. (14.5 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Family Size Dinner
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled
2 eggs, beaten
dash pepper
2 cups white bread cubes (1/2 inch)
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare Dinner in large saucepan as directed on package, using 3/4 cup milk. Add spinach, bacon, eggs and pepper; mix well.
  • Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish. Toss bread cubes with butter; sprinkle over Dinner mixture.
  • Bake 30 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 1070 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 17 g

SAUTEED SPINACH WITH BACON AND ONIONS



Sauteed Spinach with Bacon and Onions image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon bacon grease
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (for a little spice because Trisha likes it)
Salt and ground black pepper
Salt and ground black pepper
12 ounces baby spinach

Steps:

  • In a large saute pan, melt the bacon grease over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and stir to cook until the onions are very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and stir; add the spinach and toss it around, cooking until it's just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately so the spinach is wilted but not soggy.

SPINACH MAC 'N' CHEESE



Spinach mac 'n' cheese image

Your favourite comfort food revamped with fewer calories and more veggies. This vegetarian mac 'n' cheese with spinach and tomatoes is an easy meal for two

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

85g wholewheat penne
½ tbsp rapeseed oil
2 leeks , washed and sliced
50g spelt flour
2 tsp English mustard powder
200ml semi-skimmed milk
80g baby spinach
50g extra mature cheddar , finely grated
2 tomatoes , quartered if large

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium non-stick pan. Add the leeks, stir well, then cover and cook for about 6 mins or until softened.
  • Put the flour and mustard powder in a small bowl and gradually whisk in the milk. Pour into the pan with the leeks and stir with a wooden spoon until thickened. Continue stirring over a low heat while the pasta cooks. It will seem thick but will be diluted later.
  • Drain the pasta, reserving the cooking water, then stir the paste into the sauce. Add the spinach and 1-11/2 ladlefuls of the water to make a spoonable sauce, then stir over the heat until the spinach has wilted. Stir in most of the cheese and taste for seasoning.
  • Heat the grill. Tip the pasta mixture into a casserole dish, arrange the tomatoes over the top and scatter over the remaining cheese. Grill for 5-10 mins or until bubbling and golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 482 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 53 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SPINACH AND BACON



Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach and Bacon image

Make and share this Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach and Bacon recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Mini Ravindran

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups sharp American cheese, diced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup spinach, chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and diced

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni in boiling water.
  • Drain and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the milk.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes (stirring frequently).
  • Stir in the spinach (if using frozen squeeze out most of the moisture), bacon and macaroni.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 350.
  • Add the mixture to a lightly buttered casserole dish.
  • Bake for 30 minutes (or until starting to brown).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 3272, Fat 196.1, SaturatedFat 109.6, Cholesterol 481.3, Sodium 5562.4, Carbohydrate 230.3, Fiber 7.5, Sugar 3.8, Protein 145.4

SPINACH MAC AND CHEESE



Spinach Mac and Cheese image

Add a bit of green goodness to basic mac and cheese with fresh spinach, stirred into the sauce until just wilted.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, room temperature
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 bunches curly- or flat-leaf spinach (about 1 3/4 pounds total), trimmed, washed, and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick strips
5 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (2 cups)
3/4 pound elbow macaroni, cooked according to package instructions

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion and cook until translucent, 6 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden and has a slightly nutty aroma, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, add 2 cups milk. Add remaining 2 cups milk, raise heat to medium-high, and whisk until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce comes to a boil, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 13 to 15 minutes.
  • Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted, about 2 minutes. Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 g, Fat 20 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 24 g

SAUTEED SPINACH WITH BACON



Sauteed Spinach with Bacon image

The bacon gives a nice salty crunch and flavor to this side dish of spinach.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 slices bacon (about 2 ounces total), cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
3 bunches flat-leaf spinach (about 2 pounds total), thick stems removed, well washed and dried
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar

Steps:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon, leaving fat in skillet; drain on a paper towel. Set aside.
  • Increase heat to high; fill skillet with as much spinach as will fit. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing spinach and adding more as it wilts (it may take up to 2 minutes to fit it all). Continue to cook until tender, 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Tilt skillet to drain water from spinach (using slotted spoon or a spatula to hold spinach back). Mix in vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with crispy bacon.

Tips:

  • Use fresh spinach. Fresh spinach will give your mac and cheese a vibrant green color and a slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with the bacon and cheese. If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water before using.
  • Cook the bacon until it's crispy. Crispy bacon will add a delicious smoky flavor to your mac and cheese. Cook it over medium heat until it's browned and crispy, but not burnt.
  • Use a good quality cheese. The cheese is the star of the show in this dish, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that melts well. A sharp cheddar cheese is a good option, but you can also use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant to eat. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until it's al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
  • Make sure the sauce is thick and creamy. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the pasta, but not so thick that it's gloopy. If the sauce is too thick, add a little milk or cream. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it over low heat until it thickens.

Conclusion:

Spinach and bacon mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. It's also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. With its creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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