Green Goddess Macaroni + Cheese
Servings: 4
Familiar comfort food, with a green goddess veggie twist.
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Ingredients
Green Goddess Macaroni and Cheese
- 8 oz. macaroni other small pasta regular or gluten free
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oil-packed anchovies, drained and mined (optional)
- 1 large stems broccoli, stem peeled and diced, florets broken apart
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose or rice flour use rice four of GF 1- to- 1 flour for GF
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. finely ground black pepper
- 2 cups milk
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 6 oz. fresh spinach
- 8 oz. grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese (2 cups) or a mix of any of these to equal 2 cups
Crispy Garlic Lemon Topping
- ½ cup panko regular or gluten free
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- zest of one lemon
- 1 clove garlic, grated into bowl
Instructions
Make the Topping
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and stir thoroughly. Set aside.
Make the Mac and Cheese
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Put a pot of salted water on to boil for the macaroni. Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the diced onion, garlic, anchovies, and diced broccoli stems. (Reserve the broccoli florets for later.) Sauté over medium-high heat until the vegetables are tender, about five minutes.
- Stir in the flour and salt and pepper. Add the milk and Dijon mustard, and continue stirring as the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 5-6 minutes.
- Stir the spinach into the milk mixture until it is wilted. Use a blender (working in batches) or a immersion blender right in the pot to blend the vegetables into the milk mixture, turning it green. Stir in the cheese until it it completely melted. Stir in the broccoli florets. Pour the ingredients into a 9" x 13" baking dish.
- Spread the crispy topping over the macaroni mixture. Bake until hot and bubbly, and the edges begin to brown. Allow to set 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Don't let the anchovies scare you. They add a depth of flavor (nothing fishy) and elevate this dish to a wonderful adult comfort food!