High-Protein Creamy Feta Macaroni & Cheese Recipe (One Pot, 30 Minutes) by 30Seconds Food

Feta is fabulous! Why? Not only is the cheese delicious, feta is said to be the healthiest cheese in the world. Feta may boost your immune system and support bone health, and it is high in nutrients and probiotics. You know what else is fabulous? Macaroni and cheese. So if you want to make mac and cheese, why not use the healthiest cheese in the world?

This easy feta macaroni and cheese recipe cooks in one pot and is super creamy. To make this Greek-inspired macaroni and cheese you will need just a few simple ingredients. Here is your easy shopping list: pasta, butter, flour, milk, heavy whipping cream, broth (chicken or vegetable), garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, feta cheese, cream cheese, fresh baby spinach and pesto, which is optional but recommended for extra flavor.

Serve this high-protein, one-pot feta macaroni and cheese for lunch, as a vegetarian meal or as a side dish with dinner.

Cuisine: American 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 ounces short pasta, cooked according to package directions for al dente
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk or half and half
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup pesto (optional)
• 5 ounces fresh baby spinach

Recipe Notes

• You could use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach. Thaw it completely and squeeze all the moisture out before adding it to the pasta.

• Use whatever short pasta you like. Rigatoni, elbows, rotini, penne, fusilli, bowties, cavatappi or shells would work well.

• You can use homemade pesto or jarred pesto.

• Use the same pot you cook the pasta in for a one-pot meal.

• You could sprinkle more crumbled feta on top before serving.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Melt the butter in a soup pot over low heat. Whisk in the flour, then slowly pour in the milk, heavy cream and broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder and smoked paprika. 
2. Add the feta, cream cheese and pesto, if using. Stir until melted and combined. 
3. Add the spinach and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. 
4. Add the pasta and stir to combine. Cook until heated through.
   
    

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by HappyForks. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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