Creamy classic mac and cheese filled with spinach, mushrooms, and savory pancetta. This Spinach Mushroom Pancetta Mac and Cheese is easy, delicious and the perfect comfort food.
Hi! This is Andrea from Cooking with a Wallflower. I’m back this month to share with you a brand new recipe perfect for those comfort food cravings. And just in time for a homecook Valentine’s Day meal.
I’ll be honest, I’m all about those comfort foods. Especially when it comes to mac and cheese. That childhood classic that we’ve had at one point or another. That cheesy pasta dish that’s soo delicious and addictive.
This mac and cheese dish is one of my favorites. It takes the ultimate comfort food that we all know and love and it takes it to the next level with added ingredients. Fresh baby spinach, mushrooms, and savory pancetta. Every little bite is packed full of flavor and soo creamy and cheesy.
So if you’re a fan of mac and cheese, then this dish will be perfect for you. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
In a large saucepan or pot, cook the pancetta until it becomes browned and crispy. Transfer onto a plate and set aside for now.
In the same saucepan, heat water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the milk and cream cheese and cook until the cream cheese has melted.
Remove the pan from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach and mushrooms.
Transfer everything to the baking dish. Top with the rest of the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the top with fried onions or shallots.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden.
Enjoy!
Andrea
- 4 ounce pancetta
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2½ cups milk
- 4 ounce cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2½ cups baby spinach
- 10 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup shredded cheddar for topping
- ½ cup fried shallots or onions for topping
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a large saucepan or pot, cook the pancetta until it becomes browned and crispy. Transfer onto a plate and set aside for now.
- In the same saucepan, heat water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the milk and cream cheese and cook until the cream cheese has melted.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach and mushrooms.
- Transfer everything to the baking dish. Top with the rest of the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the top with fried onions or shallots.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden.
Try these other delicious “comfort” recipes
Roasted Vegetable, Bacon and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Roasted Honey Brussels Sprouts
Pasta Carbonara with Seared Scallops
