Veggie-Packed Macaroni and Cheese Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A creamy macaroni and cheese casserole loaded with sweet bell peppers and spinach, making it a colorful and nutritious dish kids will love. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until it forms a smooth roux and smells nutty.
  3. Step 3: Gradually pour in 3 cups whole milk while whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking for 5-6 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the cooked macaroni, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced yellow bell pepper, and 2 cups chopped fresh spinach until evenly combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

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