Tuscan Mac And Cheese
Tuscan Mac and Cheese combines creamy mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan with fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian herbs for a rich, flavorful twist on the classic comfort dish.
Calories:
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk whole or 2%
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (oil-packed or dry, rehydrated)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes, whisking constantly until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Stir for about 5 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and mix in mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan until creamy.
- Stir in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Fold in chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Toss pasta in the cheese sauce until fully coated.
- For a golden finish, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes. For a creamier version, serve immediately.