This is an ORIGINAL Budget Savvy Diva creation! I decided to come up with a pasta bake that pairs the flavors of a spinach and artichoke dip and mac n' cheese. The balance in this dish is fantastic and it is SO full of flavor. Add some cooked chicken in it and call it dinner.
Ingredients
16 oz of Shell Pasta
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic ( Minced)
1 Cup of Sour Cream
¼ Cup of Parmesan Cheese
10 Oz of Spinach ( Make sure to squeeze excess moisture, after it has been thawed of course)
13.5 Can of Artichoke Hearts rinsed and chopped
1 Cup of Mozzarella
½ Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Pepper
Cheese Sauce
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon of mustard powder
¼ teaspoon of pepper
½ teaspoon onion powder
2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (8oz)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425
In a Large Stockpot Cook pasta according to directions on the box - I try and under-cook the pasta by 2 minutes. Drain. Keep ¼ cup of the pasta water.
In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium heat. Add in flour and mix till golden brown. Slowly add milk ( keep mixing). Add seasoning - pepper, salt, mustard powder, and onion powder - mix.
Add cheese slowly and mix till everything is combined.
Place in a medium size bowl and mix - artichokes, spinach, sour cream, ¼ cup of pasta water, ½ cup of mozzarella, garlic , salt; pepper.
Add mixture to the large stockpot full of cooked pasta
Add in 80% of cheese sauce and mix
Place mixture in a greased 9x13 pan
Top with the rest of the cheese sauce
Top with Parmesan cheese and rest of mozzarella cheese and place in the oven uncovered.
Cook for about 15 minutes or till cheese is turning golden brown
Recipe by Budget Savvy Diva at https://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/05/spinach-artichoke-mac-cheese-bake-recipe/