Green Mac n Cheese Cups with spinach and zucchini

These green mac n cheese cups are a great way to add veggies to one of the kids’ most beloved menus and give it a fun name. Hulk pasta? Shrek mac and cheese? The bright green color also makes it a great choice for St. Patrick’s day.

Why spinach and zucchini?

Spinach is easy to blend into foods because it has a mild taste, almost unnoticeable when paired with more robust flavors like cheese. I also love adding shredded zucchini to pasta because of its light and creamy texture. Since the mac n cheese is already green, zucchini won’t be easily visible.

I first made this recipe when my youngest was in the weaning stage. The cups made the pasta easy to hold with her tiny hands. But you can also serve the pasta in a bowl and lightly mash it up.

Also, check out Nut-Free Pesto Pasta With Panko Bread Crumbs

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Green Mac n Cheese Cups with spinach and zucchini

These green mac n cheese cups are a great way to add veggies to one of the kids' most beloved menus.

Course Kid Finger Food

Cuisine American

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Servings 12 cups

Author whiteblankspace

Ingredients

• 2 ~2.5 cups macaroni pasta uncooked
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 cup packed baby spinach
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 zucchini
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg whisked

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400F.
2. Cook pasta al dente. 2.5 cups if using large shelled pasta and 2 cups if using small macaroni pasta. Drain pasta and toss with olive oil. Set aside.
3. Blend spinach and milk in a high-speed blender until smooth.
4. Grate zucchini using the large hole of a box grater.
5. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until bubbly and golden in color.
6. Add spinach mixture and cheese. Whisk to combine until cheese is melted. The mixture will be thick and gooey but don’t worry. Zucchini will add some moisture back.
7. Turn off the heat. Add zucchini and pasta. Mix with a spatula to combine.
8. Add whisked egg and mix well.
9. Line a muffin tin with silicone muffin cups. Distribute the mixture into each cup.
10. Bake for about 18 minutes until the top starts to brown. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. Mac n cheese cups will hold their shape when cooled down.