Spinach Alfredo Mac and Cheese

This Spinach Alfredo Mac and Cheese is made with creamy alfredo sauce, tender pasta, and a spinach and ricotta layer to make it extra gooey. It's an awesome weeknight meal.

So much about witchcraft is finding the proper balance of energy. From the principle of polarity to the Temperance card in Tarot, we know the Universe wants us to seek balance. I love the phrase, "everything in moderation, including moderation." So every once in a while, you give yourself permission to indulgen, then you balance it with a bit of austerity.

But for the most part, it's lovely to have that sweet spot of healthyish and totally delicious. I admit my scales always tip more favorably toward delicious, so when I manage to add leafy greens to something cheesy and carby, I feel more virtuous than I probably should. Everybody makes progress in their own way.

What makes Spinach Alfredo Mac and Cheese so awesome?

This is a delicious, semi-homemade dish that's totally doable on a weeknight. The tender pasta shells hold pockets of the alfredo sauce beautifully. And yes, you can use store bought. I always do for this because I don't need the hassle. Nestled between two layers of creamy, cheesy pasta is a calzone-style spinach and cheese filling. Use ricotta if you're feeling fancy, or use cottage cheese if you'd like to save some money. I love it.

Serve this with a side salad and some crunchy garlic bread, and you've got a nostalgic meal that takes almost no effort. And because we used highly stable store bought sauce, this also reheats well for leftovers. It's the kind of thing my mom would have made for us in the 80's (not that I would have eaten spinach then). It just makes me really happy.

Magical Properties of Spinach

Spinach, with its bright green color, is tied to the heart chakra and used in spells for love and inner child connection. Ruled by Jupiter and the element of earth, it can also call in prosperity, fertility, and wealth. There are actual Popeye vibes with this vegetable as well. Use it to help you take action and find strength and endurance.

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this dish. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Pasta - any small pasta shape will do, but I prefer shells for this
• Spinach - frozen but thawed
• Cottage cheese - or ricotta if you prefer
• Egg
• Parmesan - grated
• Mozzarella - the low-moisture shredded variety
• Salt and pepper
• Alfredo sauce - your favorite brand

Tips for making Spinach Alfredo Mac and Cheese

This is super easy to make. This old-fashioned kind of food always is. Start by boiling your pasta. You want it al dente because it will continue to cook in the oven. While that's cooking, you can stir together your spinach, cottage cheese, parm, most of your mozzarella, and egg in a mixing bowl. Season it with salt and pepper and set it aside.

Once your pasta is cooked and drained, stir it together with the alfredo sauce. Then add half of it to your casserole dish and spread it evenly. Don't worry if it doesn't cover it. It's not strictly a layered dish. Next, add your spinach mixutre and distribute that evenly before adding the rest of the pasta to the top. Sprinkle the whole thing with more mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then bake the whole thing until golden brown and bubbly.

Vegetables are much more fun when covered in cheese and carbs. Make this Spinach Alfredo Mac & Cheese for the best of both worlds.

Looking for more awesome mac and cheese recipes? Try this Mexican Mac & Cheese or some easy Cheez-Its Mac & Cheese.

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