Description
A fun and spooky twist on classic mac and cheese made green with fresh spinach and decorated with olive ‘eyeballs’. Perfect for Halloween-themed meals, this monster mac and cheese combines creamy comfort food with a playful presentation that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box of macaroni and cheese (including cheese packet, butter, and milk as per box instructions)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cheese stick
- 4 black olives
- Pinch of salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Macaroni: Prepare the macaroni according to the package instructions. Once cooked, stir in the cheese packet along with the specified amounts of butter and milk until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Wilt Spinach: Place the fresh baby spinach in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until the spinach is wilted. Allow to cool slightly before proceeding.
- Blend Spinach: Transfer the wilted spinach into a blender or use an immersion blender and add a splash of water as needed. Blend until you have a smooth green puree. Stir this spinach puree thoroughly into the prepared mac and cheese until the color changes to a vibrant green.
- Create Eyeballs: Slice the cheese stick into about 6-8 rounds. Use a straw or a small round cutter to punch a small hole in the center of each cheese slice. Cut the black olives into slices and insert one olive slice into each cheese round to form a ‘pupil’ in the center.
- Assemble and Serve: Scoop the green monster mac and cheese into serving bowls. Place the cheese and olive eyeballs on top just before serving to complete the spooky look.
Notes
- Use fresh baby spinach for the best color and flavor in the puree.
- Microwaving the spinach gently wilts it without losing nutrients or flavor.
- The cheese stick eyeballs can be made in advance and refrigerated until needed.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste preferences since processed cheese packets can be salty.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute with vegan cheese and milk alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Halloween, mac and cheese, spinach, green mac and cheese, kids recipe, spooky food, monster food
