Who says Mac & Cheese is only for kids? Make it a grown-up meal by adding spinach and artichoke hearts! Perfectly flavored with Italian seasoning and a mixture of mozzarella and sharp cheddar, this is certainly not your kid’s Mac & Cheese!
Ingredients For Artichoke Mac & Cheese
- Butter
- Garlic
- Frozen spinach
- Artichoke hearts
- Milk
- Salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Mustard powder
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Elbow macaroni
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
How To Make Artichoke Mac & Cheese
- Spray a 3 qt baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 450 F.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and saute the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the chopped spinach and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the milk, artichoke hearts, salt, pepper, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, add the elbow macaroni, and cook, stirring, until slightly thick and the mixture clings to the pasta. Remove from heat and mix in ½ cup cheddar and 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, slightly golden, and the pasta is fully cooked.
What’s The Best Way To Store Leftovers?
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Easy 30-Minute Spinach Artichoke Mac & Cheese
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Large saucepan
- 3 qt baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
- 3 cups milk
- 1- 14 oz can artichoke hearts
- ½ tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
- 3 cups mozzarella, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Spray a 3 qt baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 450 F.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and saute the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the chopped spinach and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the milk, artichoke hearts, salt, pepper, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, add the elbow macaroni, and cook, stirring, until slightly thick and the mixture clings to the pasta. Remove from heat and mix in ½ cup cheddar and 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, slightly golden, and the pasta is fully cooked.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions about Artichoke Mac & Cheese
1. Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?
It is recommended you shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking ingredients added that prevent the cheese from melting properly. But, if you already have pre-shredded cheese, by all means, use it. The final product will be almost the same.
2. What Can I Substitute For Artichoke Hearts?
If you don’t have any artichoke hearts, you can use chopped broccoli or white beans as a substitute.
3. Is There A Quick Way To Wilt Spinach?
The quickest and easiest way to do it is to microwave it with a splash of water for 1-2 minutes.
4. How Do I Know When The Macaroni Is Perfectly Cooked?
Perfectly cooked macaroni should be slightly firm to the bite. Test it after about 5 minutes of boiling.
5. Can I Make This Without The Oven?
Absolutely! Baking it makes an upper crust that might be very appealing, but you can also finish cooking it on the stove by placing the lid on until the cheese melts.
6. What’s The Best Way To Add More Flavor?
Sauteing onions with the garlic before adding the squeezed spinach will add lots of flavor, as well as adding a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne. A couple of teaspoons of chicken bouillon powder also add tons of flavor.
7. How Do I Prevent The Milk From Burning?
To prevent the milk from burning, stir constantly after adding it and cook it over medium heat.
8. Can I Use Gluten-Free Pasta?
You can definitely use gluten-free pasta, but check the pasta often as it is cooking, because the cooking times may vary.
9. How Do I Make This Dish Creamier?
To add creaminess to this dish, you can add a few tablespoons of room-temperature cream cheese.