Steak House Side Mac and Cheese

Health score
16%
Steak House Side Mac and Cheese
50 min.
6
311kcal

Suggestions

If you're craving a comforting and wholesome side dish that perfectly complements any steak or main course, this Steak House Side Mac and Cheese is an absolute must-try. Featuring whole-wheat penne pasta for a nutritious twist, this recipe combines fresh baby spinach, earthy mushrooms, and crispy bacon to create layers of flavor and texture that will delight your taste buds. The creamy blend of tangy blue cheese and smooth Greek yogurt brings a rich yet balanced depth, making each bite irresistibly cheesy without overwhelming heaviness.

What makes this mac and cheese stand out is its unique combination of ingredients typically found in hearty steakhouse fare, elevated with vibrant greens and fresh herbs like parsley. The topping of whole-wheat panko adds a satisfying crunch, baked to a golden finish under a drizzle of olive oil, ensuring every serving delivers that perfect contrast between creamy and crispy.

Ready in just 50 minutes, this recipe offers a wholesome approach to a classic comfort dish, packing 311 calories per serving and serving up a balanced mix of protein, fats, and carbs. Whether you're planning a casual lunch or an impressive side for your next dinner party, this dish caters to both your health-conscious and flavor-driven preferences. It’s a delicious way to sneak in vegetables and savor familiar flavors, all baked into one beautiful, hearty casserole.

Give your family or guests something special with this steakhouse-inspired mac and cheese that goes beyond ordinary, bringing warmth, heartiness, and a touch of gourmet flair to your table.

Ingredients

  • 10 ounce baby spinach fresh
  • slices bacon 
  • 0.3 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
  • ounces cheese blue crumbled
  • tablespoons parsley fresh chopped
  •  garlic cloves minced
  • 10 ounce mushrooms quartered
  • teaspoons olive oil divided
  • 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs whole-wheat (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 0.3 cup greek yogurt plain 2%
  • teaspoons salt 
  • ounces penne pasta whole-wheat uncooked

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • sauce pan
  • oven
  • baking pan
  • colander

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 40
  2. Coat 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish with 1 teaspoon oil. Set aside.
  3. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil; add salt and pasta. Cook for 6 minutes or until just barely tender.
  4. Drain pasta in a colander over a bowl; reserve 1 cup cooking liquid.
  5. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp.
  6. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in pan; crumble bacon.
  7. Add mushrooms to drippings in pan; cook for 8 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.
  8. Add pepper, garlic, and spinach (in batches); cook 3 minutes or until spinach wilts, tossing occasionally.
  9. Combine yogurt and cheese in a large bowl, stirring until almost smooth.
  10. Add pasta and mushroom mixture; toss to combine. Stir in 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid (or more if mixture looks dry). Spoon pasta mixture into prepared dish.
  11. Combine crumbled bacon, panko, and parsley.
  12. Drizzle with remaining 3 teaspoons oil; toss to combine.
  13. Sprinkle evenly over top of pasta.
  14. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

Calories311kcal
Protein18.58%
Fat40.66%
Carbs40.76%

Properties

Glycemic Index
30.83
Glycemic Load
0.79
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
21.271304078724%

Flavonoids

Apigenin
2.88mg
Luteolin
0.37mg
Kaempferol
3.04mg
Myricetin
0.38mg
Quercetin
1.9mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:310.68kcal
15.53%
Fat:14.06g
21.63%
Saturated Fat:5.57g
34.79%
Carbohydrates:31.72g
10.57%
Net Carbohydrates:27.18g
9.88%
Sugar:2.63g
2.92%
Cholesterol:21.85mg
7.28%
Sodium:1145.6mg
49.81%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:14.46g
28.91%
Vitamin K:252.62µg
240.59%
Vitamin A:4692.03IU
93.84%
Folate:114.5µg
28.63%
Manganese:0.53mg
26.36%
Vitamin B2:0.41mg
23.91%
Vitamin C:16.35mg
19.82%
Fiber:4.54g
18.18%
Phosphorus:174.79mg
17.48%
Selenium:12.05µg
17.22%
Calcium:171.46mg
17.15%
Vitamin B3:3.06mg
15.29%
Potassium:518.31mg
14.81%
Magnesium:51.39mg
12.85%
Copper:0.24mg
12.24%
Vitamin B5:1.19mg
11.94%
Vitamin B6:0.23mg
11.36%
Iron:2mg
11.09%
Vitamin B1:0.16mg
10.96%
Vitamin E:1.46mg
9.73%
Zinc:1.27mg
8.49%
Vitamin B12:0.38µg
6.34%
Vitamin D:0.23µg
1.55%
Source:My Recipes