30 mins
20 mins
Serves 8

Small Shells Spring and Summer Spinach Pesto Mac and Cheese


Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and not just during colder months. We’ve taken this Canadian favourite and gave it a delicious summer flavour boost with a fresh spinach pesto and spring onions.
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Ingredients

  • 450 g Italpasta Tradizionale Small Shells
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 tbsp grainy mustard
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, grated
  • 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup goat feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup parmigianno reggiano

Spinach Pesto

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup parmigianno reggiano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  • In large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta al dente, approximately 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • To make pesto, place the spinach, garlic and cheese into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times. While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly, while the processor is running, will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 375F.
  • In a 10 inch cast iron pan or oven safe pan, melt 1/3 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and continue whisking until mixture has turned golden. Whisk in the milk and remove any lumps. Cook until slightly thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Add in mustard and salt and paper. Whisk until smooth and slightly thicken. Add grated cheese and continue whisking until cheese has melted and mixture is creamy.
  • Add pasta shells to cheese mixture and mix well.
  • Mix in pesto sauce, green onions and feta cheese.
  • Pour pasta into cheese sauce and stir until well blended.
  • Mix together remaining 2 tbsp of melted butter with breadcrumbs and parmigiano cheese. Sprinkle evenly on top of pasta.
  • Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and top is golden. Serve hot!
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Tips

Serving it in a cast iron pan, makes this recipe BBQ friendly. Simply preheat your grill to medium heat, place skillet on grill, close lid and cook for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Nutritional Analysis

Calories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 19gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 840mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g