St. Patty's Day Mac N' Cheese

Green Green Green everywhere! Green shirts, green beer, Shamrock shakes at McDonald’s (YUM!). Literally everything turns green the weeks leading up to St. Patty’s day, and why not? St. Patty’s Day is all about rainbows, leprechauns and pots of Gold … it’s pure magic! Some people choose not to participate in the Irish drinking festivities, which is 100% okay with me! I have a delicious GREEN dinner option for those people that want to celebrate the holiday without waking up the next morning with a hangover.

This green Mac N’ Cheese has NO food coloring, it is simply colored green from the blended spinach! See below how I do it!

Serving Size: 3

Ingredients

• 1.5 Cups of Elbow Maccaroni

• 2 Cups Milk

• 1 Cup Spinach

• 3 Tbsp. Butter/Margarine

• 3 Tbsp. Flour

• 3 Cups grated White Cheese (I mix 2.5 Cups White Italian Cheeses, 0.5 Cups Parmesan)

• 1.5 Cups Broccoli florets, chopped

• 1 Can Peas, drained

• Garlic Powder to taste

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees and cook pasta according to package directions.

• While the pasta is cooking, combine the milk and spinach into a blender and blend until smooth. This is how you get your green!

• In a large saucepan melt the butter on medium heat and whisk in the flour. Once fully whisked in, add the milk and bring to a boil. Be sure to keep an eye on it, as milk boils quickly! Once you’ve reached a boil, reduce heat to low for about 4-5 minutes while the mixture thickens. Whisking occasionally.

• Add cheese slowly and whisk until melted. Add in pasta, broccoli & peas and mix well. Add in garlic powder, salt & pepper.

• Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and transfer pasta mixture to dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Sprinkle with a little more Parmesan Cheese after baking too!