Tuscan Mac & Cheese
Tuscan Mac & Cheese features elbow macaroni in a creamy mozzarella and Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian seasoning, baked until golden.
4
servings15
minutes30
minutes550
kcal45
minutesIngredients
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 cup spinach, chopped
3 tbsp flour
2 cup milk
1.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp pepper
Directions
- Begin by boiling the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside the pasta while you prepare the sauce.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about five minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, then add the sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach. Cook until the spinach is wilted.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables in the skillet. Stir constantly to coat the vegetables evenly, cooking for about two minutes.
- Gradually add the milk to the skillet, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about five minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Mix in the cooked pasta, ensuring it is entirely coated with the sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 550kcal
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 620mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 6g
- Calcium: 60mg
- Iron: 2mg
This Tuscan Mac & Cheese takes classic comfort food and gives it an Italian garden makeover with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach that add both nutrition and incredible flavor. The creamy sauce gets built from scratch with a simple flour-and-milk base, then enriched with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for that signature mac and cheese richness. Italian seasoning ties everything together while the sun-dried tomatoes provide bursts of sweet-tart intensity, making this a sophisticated twist on childhood favorite that adults will love just as much—maybe even more.
