Unexpected Mac
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A creamy, grown-up version of mac and cheese using Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar spread, chicken sausage, and fresh spinach for a quick one-pan meal.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Equipment
- Stovetop
- Good for
- Lunch or dinner
- Cuisine
- American
- Contains
- Gluten and dairy
Diet and allergen details are read from the ingredient names and are not certified.
Ingredients
Steps
Slice the chicken sausage into half coins or quarter coins.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced sausage to the skillet and brown until cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.
Make room in the pan by pushing the sausage to the sides and add 1 lb of elbow macaroni.
Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and stir to make sure the pasta and sausage are covered.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Stir the mixture once or twice throughout the simmering process to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.
Once most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the lid.
Stir in 7 oz of Unexpected Cheddar cheese spread until it is completely melted and combined into a creamy sauce.
Add 2 cups of baby spinach to the pan and replace the lid for 1–2 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
Remove the lid and stir everything together one final time before serving.
Notes
The creator notes that the spinach can be left out if your children prefer a more traditional mac and cheese. The Unexpected Cheddar spread is the key ingredient that provides the creamy texture without needing to make a separate roux or cheese sauce.
Nutrition
These are estimates per serving, worked out from the ingredients.
- Calories
- 778
- Protein
- 39 g
- Carbs
- 90 g
- Fat
- 28 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Where the calories come from
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