Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

By jubies09

Ingredients

• 1 pound regular or whole wheat penne
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 cups milk
• A few grates fresh nutmeg
• 1 10 ounce box of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and wrung dry in a towel
• 1 10 ounce box frozen chopped artichokes, defrosted and wrung dry in a towel
• Ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 cups chredded italian fontina cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top
• 1 1/4 cups grated parmigiano reggiano cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Place a large pot of water over high heat to cook the pasta. When the water is boiling, salt it well and drop the pasta in. Cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and reserve.

3. While pasta is cooking, place a medium pot over medium-low heat with 2 turns of the pan of extra virgin olive oil, about 2 tablespoons, and the butter. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook the veggies until very soft, about 10 minutes.

4. Turn the heat up to medium-high and sprinkle the flour into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then whisk the wine into the pan, cooking for another minute to burn off the alcohol. Whisk the milk into the pan and bring up to a bubble. Add the nutmeg, veggies, some salt and pepper to the sauce, and simmer intil thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add the cheeses to the sauce and stir until melted.

5. Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole disk. Sprinkle some more fontina and parmigiano over the top and bake until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.