Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese

Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side!

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

I love when the house smells like bacon. It’s such a homey, comforting aroma that lingers long and reminds you of the delicious meal from early in the day. And around here, we love our breakfast. Even better, though, when you can cook up a batch of bacon for dinner!

Just remember to throw in an extra few strips for mid-cooking munching.

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

We’ve made macaroni and cheese a million and one ways, but I’ve always loved the idea of tossing in bacon and spinach. You know, because it’s a healthy choice for all. Right? Let’s go with yes.

Fat, fluffy pasta shells melt into a cheesy sauce full of spinach and salty bacon to make for a mouthwatering side dish. Serve it straight from your skillet, or toss some extra shredded cheddar and throw ‘er under the broiler for a crisp top.

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

For an easy, extra tasty spin on traditional mac, sizzle up a skillet of this Spinach-Bacon Macaroni and Cheese. It makes a delicious side to grilled meats and salads, and a super indulgent meal all on its own.

Some days just call for mac and cheese for dinner, right? I’m talkin’ to you, Mondays.

Cook up a big batch of this gooey macaroni and cheese for weeknights and fancy dinners, and you’ll fall in love with it just like we did. Just a handful of basic ingredients, and you’re on your way to major carb-ilicious bliss. It’s just so good!

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese – Dig into a bowl of creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese with spinach and bacon. This easy skillet pasta dish makes the perfect weeknight side! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese

Creamy Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese

Yield: 6 (1-cup) servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups medium pasta shells, uncooked
  • 6 oz. baby spinach leaves
  • 4 sliced bacon
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded Colby Jack or cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Add spinach to the boiling water for the last minute. Drain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium heat. Once hot, add bacon and cook ‘til crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving drippings in pan. Whisk flour into drippings, cooking for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking often, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup shredded cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in pasta-spinach mixture and chopped bacon, mixing well.
  4. Pour mixture into a 2-qt. casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
  5. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Join the Conversation

  1. This looks fantastic! I know what you mean with the smell of bacon, sooo good!

    I actually had a pasta bake for dinner myself yesterday, and it tasted like something you’d get in Italy, proper homely, hearty food packed with flavour – the perfect comfort food :D

    I hope you and you family are well, and I wish you a great Tuesday! x

  2. Baked pastas are the ultimate comfort food, and even better when there’s bacon involved! Looks so good, Georgia! xo

  3. This mac and cheese would disappear very quickly at my house. :) Looks great. Hope all is well with your new family. :)

  4. Holy cow that looks amazing! So creamy and comforting. :) I could go for a nice heaping bowl of that right now! :P

  5. This is perfection!! It goes with everything and it’s insanely delicious!

  6. what more could you ask for in mac n cheese! WOW!

  7. This mac and cheese has spinach in it, so it’s considered a diet food, right?

  8. I hope you and baby are doing well. Your delicious mac and cheese with bacon and spinach would be a wonderful make ahead and freeze dish, I hope you made some for your self during your maternity leave. Have a super day and enjoy your time with your precious little one. Take Care, BAM

  9. This looks so cheesy and delicious, Georgia, and I think adding bacon and spinach sounds like a wonderful idea! Pinning. :)

  10. Yup, definitely nothing like the smell of bacon, except for the taste of bacon, especially when folded into mac and cheese!

  11. Wonderful recipe, thanks…..:)

  12. An ultimate comfort food! Yum!

  13. Hope you and your little sweetie are doing great!

    This mac n cheese is seriously epic-love the spinach and bacon!

  14. 5 stars
    This is such great wholesome comfort food. Wishing you and your little one well! I hope there’s lots of deliciousness like this stocked in your freezer!

  15. This is my kind of dinner, so delicious!

  16. Mondays demand bacon and cheese. This looks amazing, Georgia. I have my fork ready!

  17. You definitely should take time to enjoy your new joy in life! And thanks for leaving this great dish for us to snarf while you’re gone — it’s wonderful!

  18. 5 stars
    Spinach, bacon, cheese, and pasta, doesn’t get much more delicious than that! A perfect comfort food dinner! Pinned!

  19. I love macaroni in cheese in all its incarnations – this one looks especially droolworthy! I would love the spinach, my hubby would love the bacon…win win :)

  20. Mac and cheese is totally up my alley but with bacon? Well a no brainer. I love this combo and how creamy it looks. I have not cooked bacon in a long time but I do too love the smell it gives when I do! Enjoy your maternity leave.

  21. 5 stars
    It looks so good!!! So funny, I was just thinking of making some Mac and cheese! It’s a sign!!!

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