Macaroni with Spinach and Bacon
Yield: 4 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
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It’s the cream cheese in this recipe that works the magic. Well, that combined with the bacon. And the spinach, and the Italian cheese blend. I’ve used that on pizzas before, but never in a homemade macaroni and cheese.

Ingredients for Single Meal

  • 1 - lb(s) elbow pasta noodles
  • 1 - 10 oz. box(es) frozen spinach
  • 4 - Tbsp butter
  • 4 - Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 - cup(s) milk
  • 8 - oz. cream cheese
  • 2 - cup(s) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 - slices bacon**
  • Side: - salad**
  • 1 - 9x13 disposable foil tray(s)
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Cooking Directions for Single Meal

  1. Cook the pasta, as directed on package, to al dente. Drain well.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and stir the flour in to make a paste. Pour in the milk, while whisking the sauce to prevent clumps. Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken, then stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheese and let melt into the sauce over low heat.
  4. Toss the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and coat completely, then stir in the frozen spinach. Pour into 9x13 inch baking dish.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  6. Cook and crumble the bacon.
  7. Prepare the salad.
  8. Serve Macaroni with Spinach and Bacon and side salad.

Freezeasy Meal Prep Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, melt 8 Tbsp butter and stir 8 Tbsp flour in to make a paste. Pour in the 3 cups milk, while whisking the sauce to prevent clumps. Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken, then stir in 2 - 8 oz. bars cream cheese and 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and let melt into the sauce over low heat.

To each disposable tray, add the following ingredients:

  • Half of the cooked pasta
  • Half of the cheese sauce
  • 1 - 10 oz. bag frozen spinach
  • Gently combine in the tray.

Cover with foil or lid, add label and freeze.

Freeze & Thaw Instructions

Put tray in the freezer and freeze up to 6 months in fridge freezer or 12 months in a deep freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or a warm shallow dish of water for about 20 minutes, before transferring to the oven and baking as directed. Add crumbled bacon as garnish, before serving.

Dairy-Free Modifications

Unfortunately, there is not a great dairy-free option for this meal.

Gluten-Free Modifications

Recipe is gluten-free if you use small shell gluten-free pasta.

Printable Label Recipe Title

Macaroni with Spinach and Bacon

Printable Label Instructions

Thaw completely and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Add cooked, crumbled bacon as garnish.
Serve with salad.

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