Weeknights around here are crazy. I get home just in time to cook dinner and then it is time to check homework, take showers and get the kids in bed. I like to spend as much quality time with the kids as I can so I aim for meals that are delicious but easy to make. Right now, the only thing my four year old will eat with a spoon is guacamole so I have to make sure we have some finger friendly foods on the table too. I spend a lot of time trying to think outside of the box to ensure he gets more than just chicken nuggets and French fries. One of my favorite ways to get vegetables into him {and his sister} is to mix them with some of their favorite foods. That is how I created these turkey, spinach and macaroni bites.
These turkey, spinach and macaroni bites start with yummy macaroni and cheese and get healthy spinach and protein packed turkey added in. I don’t always have time to make my macaroni and cheese from scratch and, on those days, I typically turn to Horizon Organic Macaroni and Cheese to help me out. Our favorite is their pasta shells and white cheddar.
They have an awesome tool on their website, the MAC-N-ATOR, to help me find an awesome idea for dinner using macaroni and cheese and ingredients I already have on hand. I always keep spinach and deli turkey around so this recipe was easy to make and has quickly become a favorite in our household.
Ingredients for Turkey, Spinach and Macaroni Bites:
1 Box Horizon Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
2 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess moisture
1/2 deli turkey, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
Let’s Make It:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2) Prepare macaroni and cheese according to the package directions using 2 Tbsp of butter and 1/4 cup of milk.
3) Stir spinach and turkey into prepared macaroni and cheese. Add in egg and stir well.
4) Spoon macaroni and cheese mixture into muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
I love recipes that come together in less than 30 minutes. If they get vegetables into my kids, that is an added bonus. My husband absolutely loved these and suggested we have them as appetizers for our Superbowl party too.
What are your favorite ways to get vegetables into your family? Do you have limited time to cook at night but still want a delicious meal for your family? Definitely try out the MAC-N-ATOR when you are thinking up what to make for dinner. It is such an awesome tool to help you come up with recipes using items you probably already have on hand or know your family likes.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
Yum these look good! Hmm, what a great recipe! Now that I can make them myself I can save my money. Thank you so much for sharing because i’m pinning.