Greek spinach pasta salad

Greek Spinach Pasta Salad 

via What's for Dinner

Ingredients

• 8 ounce fresh baby spinach
• 15 ounce can  Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 5
ounces crumbled feta cheese
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 2 
green onions, chopped
• 2 
cloves garlic, minced
• 1 
teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
• 2 
tablespoons lemon juice
• 2-3 
tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 
teaspoon oregano
• 1 
teaspoon thyme
• 1 pound pasta, cooked
• Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
• salt and pepper

Directions

Grate the lemons, taking off only the yellow part. Cut the grape tomatoes in half.
In a large serving bowl combine spinach, beans, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, lemon peel and juice, oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover; let stand at room temperature while preparing pasta or up to 2 hours; stirring occasionally.

Just before serving, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Toss cooked pasta and pasta water with spinach salad mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Classic Mac and Cheese
via Myrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk $
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (8-oz.) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

Preparation

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Keep warm.
2.  Melt butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in salt, black and red pepper, 1 cup shredded cheese, and cooked pasta.
3.  Spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
4.  Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
5. One-Pot Macaroni and Cheese: Prepare recipe as directed, stirring all grated Cheddar cheese into thickened milk mixture until melted. Add cooked pasta, and serve immediately.