Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach
A creamy macaroni and cheese that cleverly incorporates pureed cauliflower and spinach for added nutrition without compromising flavor. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, (about 100 g) cauliflower florets, (packed) fresh spinach leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 10 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup (about 100 g) cauliflower florets
- 1 cup (packed) fresh spinach leaves
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 10 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Steam 1 cup cauliflower florets and 1 cup fresh spinach leaves together over boiling water for 6 minutes until very tender.
- Step 3: Transfer steamed cauliflower and spinach to a blender or food processor and puree until very smooth, about 1 minute. Set aside.
- Step 4: In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until golden and bubbling but not browned.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Lower heat to low and stir in the cauliflower-spinach puree, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 oz cream cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika. Cook, stirring, until cheese melts and sauce is creamy.
- Step 7: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until all pasta is evenly coated.
- Step 8: Transfer macaroni and cheese to a buttered 8x8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup bread crumbs evenly on top.
- Step 9: Broil in the oven on high for 3-4 minutes until bread crumbs are golden and crisp. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Vegetable-Infused Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Spinach?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
