SPINACH-MACARONI & CHEESE BAKE

Spinach-Macaroni & Cheese Bake image

Got a picky eater you're trying to win over to the spinach fan club? Try this creamy macaroni and cheese casserole with garlic and fresh spinach.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Home

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 pkg. (10 oz.) fresh spinach, stems removed
2-3/4 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 Tbsp. margarine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour
3 cups milk
3 cups KRAFT Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F.
Add spinach to large pan of boiling water; cook 1 to 2 min. or just until wilted. Drain in colander. Use same pan to cook macaroni as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, melt margarine in separate large pan on medium heat. Add garlic and flour; cook and stir 1 min. Whisk in milk; bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add 2-1/4 cups cheese; cook and stir until melted. Stir in pepper.
Squeeze excess water from spinach; chop finely. Drain macaroni. Add to cheese sauce; stir until evenly coated. Spoon half the macaroni mixture into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with spinach. Top with remaining macaroni mixture and shredded cheese.
Bake 30 min. or until golden brown. Let stand 10 min. before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 400 mg, Carbohydrate 41 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g, Protein 19 g