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Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese for #SundaySupper

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Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese uses Greek yogurt to replace milk or cream, and the cheesy flavor is enhanced with Gruyere. This is a healthy, grown-up version of one of my favorite childhood dishes and an easy meal for busy weeknights now that school is starting up again.

skinny spinach mac and cheese #sundaysupper

Where I grew up, school didn’t start until after Labor Day, but here in Florida? Most of the kids head back to school tomorrow. As in August 18th. As in there are still two weeks of August left. As in…what?! It’s a good thing I never lived here during my school days, otherwise I would totally not be down with the whole going-back-to-school-before-Labor-Day arrangement.

But back to the craziness that is school starting tomorrow. I don’t have kids, so this really has no affect on me besides the increase in traffic during my a.m. drive to the gym.

#SundaySupper is celebrating Back to School with easy recipes for weeknight meals, quick breakfasts, and fun lunchbox treats. Thanks to our hosts, Tammi of Momma’s Meals and Gwen of Simply Healthy Family. Since I’m kid-free, I’m celebrating a little differently. I wanted to take one of my favorite meals from when I was in school and giving it a healthy, adult-friendly twist. Mac & Cheese! I used to love making myself mac & cheese from that familiar blue box. And then I discovered the rich, creamy deliciousness that comes in the frozen variety. These were quick and easy for me to make to satisfy my after-school munchies (because school lunch was always so freaking early in the day, basically breakfast time) or dinners when Mom and Dad were working.

skinny spinach mac and cheese #sundaysupper

But what the hell was I thinking? The fat and calories, the processed ingredients, the lack of anything green in my bowl — as I’ve mentioned before, I was not the most adventurous eater when I was younger. Thank God I’ve graduated to a much better palate and understand the importance of good food.

I wish I had been eating this Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese in my school days, but let’s be real — Greek yogurt in my pasta would not have vibed well back then. Today is another story. Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese uses Greek yogurt in place of milk or cream and lots of spinach adds more nutritional value to the dish. Instead of the typical cheddar cheese used in most mac and cheese dishes, I opted for one of my favorite “grown-up” kinds of cheese — Gruyere, a gourmet swiss variety. The light and creamy texture really livens up one of the most iconic comfort foods ever. A dense, heavy mac and cheese can leave you feeling weighed down, but not this Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese.

skinny spinach mac and cheese #sundaysupper

The best part is that it takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and have ready on the table. So for those of you who do have kiddos going back to school, Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese is a great meal to make on nights when you don’t have time for an elaborate meal.

skinny spinach mac and cheese #sundaysupper

5.0 from 4 reviews
Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese
 
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Skinny Spinach Mac and Cheese uses Greek yogurt to replace milk or cream, and the cheesy flavor is enhanced with Gruyere. This is a healthy, grown-up version of one of my favorite childhood dishes and an easy meal for busy weeknights now that school is starting up again.
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Ingredients
  • ½ cup dried pasta of your choice
  • 8 oz. spinach
  • ¼ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup grated gruyere cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Place spinach at the bottom of a strainer and pour pasta over top to drain, allowing the hot pasta water to “cook” the spinach and cause it to wilt.
  3. Pour pasta and wilted spinach back into the pot and stir in the Greek yogurt and cheese. Continue stirring until cheese has melted completely and a sauce has begun to form. Add the garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Give the pasta another mix until everything is combined.

 

You won’t be at a loss for recipes this school year. Check out everything the #SundaySupper crew has for ya.   

Back to School Beginnings

Back to School Lunches and Simple Suppers

Back to School Sips

Back to School Super Snacks

Back to School Sweets and Treats

 

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Comments

  1. Liz says

    I LOVE that you’ve added spinach, Shaina! And the cheese looks gooey enough that it’s hard to believe you’ve lightened it up…SO yummy!!!

    Reply

  6. Tammi @Momma's Meals says

    Wow this is super easy! I just told my 4 year old that we aren’t eating Mac N Cheese out of a box anymore so the only way she was getting it was if Momma was making it! I can’t wait to try this for her!

    Reply

  10. Katie says

    Love your skinnified mac! I do have to say though – I do share a fondness for the blue box. I never really make it anymore, but every once in a blue moon I get nostalgic…

    Reply

  11. Amee says

    You can never go wrong with mac and cheese girlfriend! Yum! I love how you sneak some veggie goodness into all that delicious, gooey cheese!

    Reply

  15. Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva says

    Great recipe for making a not so healthy dish healthy and still really tasty! In Montana school started before Labor Day, but in California almost always after Labor Day. Now you have year round school to throw everything off.

    Have a great week! PS, hope you enjoyed Guy Fieri’s restaurant!

    Reply

  20. Miz Helen says

    I love the addition of the Spinach to the Mac N Cheese and great for the kids! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

    Reply

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