Quinoa Spinach Mac and Cheese
Published on January 11, 2013
Move over macaroni because quinoa is in town and taking over this mac and cheese. I know this recipe is called Quinoa Spinach MAC and Cheese, but there is no macaroni involved. Don’t be sad, you won’t miss the macaroni. I promise.
When I saw Carrie’s recipe on Tasty Kitchen, I knew I had to make it for dinner. It had my name written all over it. I am obsessed with quinoa-did you see my Crunchy Quinoa Granola? And I love trying new mac and cheese recipes-remember my Avocado Mac and Cheese? Yeah, I knew I would love this recipe.
This quinoa mac and cheese is loaded with spinach, white cheddar, and has a crunchy Parmesan and Panko topping. I baked it in a skillet until it was bubbly and screaming EAT ME!
I loved everything about this “not” mac and cheese. It is creamy, cheesy, and even a little crunchy thanks to the topping. The quinoa and spinach boost up the nutritional value of the traditional mac and cheese. This Popeye approved mac and cheese was a hit at our dinner table. All of the peas give this recipe two big thumbs up!
For step-by-step photos and the recipe, visit Tasty Kitchen. You are going to love this Quinoa Spinach Mac and Cheese. It is a great easy weeknight meal and perfect for the cold winter months. Healthified comfort food! I don’t know if healthified is technically a word, but it is now because I am using it:) Now, go make some Quinoa Mac and Cheese please!
yum! love the panko bread topping!
Cannot wait to try this – I have some serious mac and cheese addicts in my house and a bag of quinoa waiting to be used up. Thanks for sharing!
OMG, this looks fantastic. I love quinoa too and this looks like something I need to make asap!! Love!!
This is a fantastic idea. I’m going to make it asap!
I made this on Saturday. It was wonderful. We didn’t miss the macaroni one bit. This is a new favorite when we want comfort food! Thanks for the great recipe!
Glad you liked the recipe!
I made this on Sunday. It was the first time I’ve cooked with quinoa. It was amazing and I can’t wait to make it again. I added cubed ham to it. Even the picky husband and kids loved it! Thanks for another great recipe 🙂
Not a huge fan of quinoa, but this recipe looks like it could convert me into a fan!
This was SO, SO good! I made it for lunch last week, and my two year-old loved it too! Next time I think I might try adding some steamed broccoli in with the spinach for some extra greens. But it was fantastic just as written.
I made this last night and my boyfriend and I inhaled it! We added grilled chicken and roasted tomatoes because this was our main dish. I imagine other roasted veggies would be good too. Thanks for the yummy (and healthy) twist on one of my favorite dishes!
Yay! Glad it was a hit!
Okay, this looks amazing. I also think my 14-month old will like it — finally, a way to get the kiddo to eat spinach and quinoa. 🙂 Yay!
Ok, this is for real one of thee best “mac” and cheeses I have ever tried, to die for!!! thanks for submitting!
I made this tonight, but used brown rice that was in the fridge. Used gf bread crumbs. Was vary good.
Glad you liked it!
We LOVE this recipe at my house (seriously, it’s one of the few things my 4 year old will eat – she has it at least 3 nights a week for dinner and I always have a pan in the freezer!). The one thing I do differently is I puree the spinach first – it gives the whole dish a green hue that my veggie-averse kiddo is somehow not freaked out by (and yes, she knows it’s spinach). Thank you for making a dish that I feel good about feeding my family!
I saved this recipe off TastyKitchen years ago, but didn’t try it until today. So many years wasted. I literally moaned when I tasted it. A five star recipe.