Description
This Monster Mac and Cheese is a vibrant, gooey, and playful twist on classic comfort food, perfect for Halloween parties or family dinners. Decorate each serving with edible monster faces for a fun, memorable appetizer that kids and adults love.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni or shell pasta
- 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
- 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (16g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (170g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (115g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt, adjust to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup (30g) fresh baby spinach, blended
- Green food coloring gel (optional)
- Black olives, sliced (for monster eyes)
- Mini mozzarella balls or pearl onions (for eye whites)
- Red and yellow bell pepper strips (for monster mouths, teeth, or horns)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (for monster noses or cheeks)
- Optional: edible eyeballs or candy eyes
- Optional substitutions: gluten-free pasta and flour, oat milk and vegan cheese, kale or parsley instead of spinach, roasted red peppers
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add fresh baby spinach and ¼ cup milk to a blender. Puree until completely smooth and vibrant green.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes until bubbling but not brown.
- Slowly pour in remaining warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Stir in blended spinach mixture, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Add a drop or two of green food coloring if desired for a brighter monster look.
- Add drained pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until every piece is coated and monster-green.
- Optional: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spoon mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden at the edges.
- Spoon mac and cheese into bowls or onto plates. Decorate each serving with sliced olives for eyes, mini mozzarella balls for eye whites, pepper strips for mouths or horns, and cherry tomatoes for noses or cheeks.
- Serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
For the brightest green, blend spinach very smooth and add a touch of food coloring. Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free version, or oat milk and vegan cheese for vegan. Let kids help decorate for extra fun. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; decorate after reheating. For parties, set out toppings and let guests create their own monster faces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (150g) per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
Keywords: Halloween, mac and cheese, monster, spooky, kids, party, appetizer, comfort food, easy, creamy, cheese, spinach, fun, creative