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Spinach and Bacon Mac and Cheese

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  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 25 min
  • Servings 6
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Macaroni and cheese goes upscale, featuring bow-tie pasta, bacon and spinach. This delicious dish can serve six in just 25 minutes.
Updated Sep 27, 2013
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups uncooked bow-tie (farfalle) pasta (8 oz)
  • 1/2 lb sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
  • 1 bag (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Steps

  • 1
    In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Return to Dutch oven; cover to keep warm.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until crisp; remove to paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings.
  • 3
    In 3-quart saucepan, heat butter and reserved bacon drippings over medium heat until butter is melted. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in flour, salt and pepper with whisk until smooth. Stir in milk; heat to boiling. Stir in cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
  • 4
    Pour cheese sauce over pasta; stir until coated. Stir in spinach. Reserve 1/4 cup of the bacon; stir remaining bacon into pasta mixture. Divide pasta mixture among 6 serving bowls; garnish with reserved bacon.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    If desired, drain all of the bacon drippings and increase the butter by 2 tablespoons. Or substitute 1/4 cup canola or olive oil for the butter and drippings.
  • tip 2
    To easily chop baby spinach, place spinach in a deep bowl or glass measuring cup and randomly snip with kitchen scissors until coarsely chopped.
  • tip 3
    For extra flavor, stir in 1/3 cup sliced green onion tops with the spinach.

Nutrition

470 Calories, 24g Total Fat, 23g Protein, 42g Total Carbohydrate, 5g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving (1 Cup)
Calories
470
Calories from Fat
210
Total Fat
24g
36%
Saturated Fat
13g
65%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
70mg
23%
Sodium
810mg
34%
Potassium
430mg
12%
Total Carbohydrate
42g
14%
Dietary Fiber
2g
11%
Sugars
5g
Protein
23g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
70%
70%
Vitamin C
6%
6%
Calcium
35%
35%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 2 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
3
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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