Bok Choy Macaroni and Cheese
Bok Choy Macaroni and Cheese recipe!
The garden season began months ago (officially with seeds) but when the hot and humid weather hits then it really seems like it’s garden time. That time is now! The garden is in full bloom right with all of our Spring and many of our Summer plants growing (cucumbers and cantaloupe seeds inside).
Every year we grow a few heads of bok choy. Do you remember the size of last year’s bok choy? This year is no exception. We decided to plant the bok choy in the long kale and onion box this year instead of the usual container. I was worried they wouldn’t grow as big, but they always like to show how great they are… and here they are:
Gosh, aren’t they just beauties?
I just can just stand in front of them and marvel while whispering things to them like “you so pretty”, “you my big boys”, “good job babies” and the endearing “I’m so proud of you”. Being a garden mama means you have to provide your plants love!
Bok Choy Recipes
Anyways, with a bunch of bok choy ready to be picked in the garden I had to start thinking of recipes. I have a list of favorite bok choy recipes here and as you can tell they are all are on the Asian side of cooking. With bok choy there’s usually sesame oil and soy sauce involved. But I wanted to try something new, more specifically, I wanted to try bok choy in a cheesy savory dish. Would it work?
Well hello beautiful, it worked. Let’s say hi to Bok Choy Macaroni and Cheese.
That’s right. Bok choy in macaroni and cheese.
It’s cheesy and it’s perfect. There were raves made at the dinner table.
In this recipe I used 6 ounces of bok choy chopped up. This was just enough to always guaranteed a crunch of bok choy when taking a bite. If you want to add even more bok choy, go wild and do it!
To give the macaroni and cheese a bit of a smoky taste, I crumbled up some bacon at the very end. Everything is better with bacon, so do this!
I was really happy to see bok choy in a cheesy dish instead of my usual Asian noodle and soup recipes. This one is a definite keeper and something we’ll be coming back to throughout the Summer. And if you have leftovers (good luck not eating it all!) it tastes delicious too.
Enjoy!
Bok Choy and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
Bok Choy Macaroni and Cheese recipe!
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box of pasta shells
- 6 ounces bok choy chopped up
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces Velveeta cut into cubes
- 8 ounce bag of shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon cooked
- chopped up scallions to garnish
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to box. When there's 1 minute left, add bok choy. Drain, put back in pot and set aside.
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In a large saucepan heat milk and butter over medium high heat. Add salt and pepper and stir. Add Velveeta and cheddar cheese, stirring until it's all mixed and creamy. Remove from heat.
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Add creamy cheese sauce to pasta and bok choy. Stir so all that sauce covers all your shells.
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Take bacon and crumble it over the pasta shells.
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Serve in bowls, garnish with chopped up scallions.
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Enjoy!
Is this an acceptable breakfast?? Please?? That last photo is absolutely stunning!!
Great thinking outside the box! Why not use bok choy in mac & cheese – I know it’s delicious. We love bok choy and I always just stir-fry it with some garlic and ginger. Need to start widening my thinking. And your garden looks great!
Yes! I love a light stir fry for my bok choy but have no doubts this is phenomenal. I love adding greens to heavy dishes like mac and cheese. What a great use of this abundant veg.
Why is it that bacon makes EVERYTHING better?? Especially pasta.
So jelly of all that sunshine and warmth you are experiencing, we woke up to minus 8c degrees this morning. WT Fudge!!! This meal however is the perfect comfort feed to warm me up. Bacon anything is delicious! 🙂
The bok choy even makes the dish look pretty! I would never think to put some in mac and cheese but it looks delish. Great way to get your veggies!
I never thought to include boy choy with mac and cheese, but I am definitely interested in this dish Pam. You definitely know how to make a girl mouth water lol. I am so hungry right now. I love this.
Kia / The House of KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
I would have never thought to add bok choy! How cool. Great spin on a classic 🙂
LOVE this. I love pairing salty, unctuous flavors with something slightly astringent / green – this looks clever, inspired, and delicious.
Love macaroni cheese, with bok choi and bacon it sounds amazing!
I love greens in mac ‘n cheese! And bacon, of course. This is inspired — what a great way to use your bok choy!
Your garden is amazing!
im not a bacon eater, but I’d totally put Bok choy in my mac n cheese! Great idea!!
Your garden is BEAUTIFUL! And love how you have put a new spin on good old mac and cheese. Bok choy, here I come!
Excellent idea to use bok choy in mac and cheese! I truly marvel at your garden every time I see it. It’s a roof-top wonder!
Awww, thanks Susan!
You had me at bacon! That is the best way to do mac and cheese! And the bok choy is so creative, fantastic job Pamela!
it looks delicious!
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