What You’ll Need:
Your fave mac and cheese recipe (see below for mine!)
Spreadable salted butter (I use the Challenge brand’s Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper spreadable butter with olive oil)
Sliced cheese (we like pepper jack)
Preparation:
Make the mac and cheese.
Once you’ve made the macaroni and cheese, spread it in an even layer on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Let it cool in the fridge, preferably overnight so that it hardens.
Once the macaroni and cheese is cold, slice it into squares that are roughly 1/2-inch smaller than the bread you plan on using for the grilled cheese.
Preheat the oven to 500°F, and while you’re waiting for the oven to heat up, butter one side of the bread slices.
Assemble in this order on another cookie sheet: Bread (butter side down), slice of cheese, mac & cheese square, loose spinach leaves, slice of cheese, bread (butter side up).
Bake sandwiches in the oven for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted, the bread is toasted.
Slice into triangles, grab extra napkins and enjoy immediately!
My Favorite Mac & Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
8 oz. elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 cups 2% milk
1 cup sour cream
3 cups grated medium cheddar cheese
Preparation:
Boil the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water and set aside. (Tip: Mix in a little butter or olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking if it’s going to be awhile before you make the sauce.)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Over medium heat, melt the butter and slowly stir in the milk and sour cream.
Add the salt, dry mustard, pepper, and paprika. Stir constantly over medium heat for about three minutes.
Once the sauce thickens, remove from heat, and stir in 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted.
Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and toss gently until all noodles are covered.
Add noodles to a two quart casserole dish.
Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and a little more pepper.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the noodles start browning at the top.
