Creamy Kale and Bean Baked Mac 'n' Cheese with Chicken Hot Dogs
This hearty and comforting baked macaroni and cheese dish is designed to elevate your classic comfort food experience. Featuring tender pasta enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce with the added goodness of sautéed kale and protein-packed Great Northern beans, this recipe combines flavor and nutrition in every bite. The inclusion of organic chicken hot dogs adds a savory twist, making it a perfect family meal. Baked to golden perfection and topped with crispy whole wheat breadcrumbs, this dish not only satisfies your cravings but also introduces wholesome ingredients for a balanced dinner. Enjoy it on chilly nights or for a cozy family gathering!
6
Servings
570
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
salt
to taste
milk
2 1/2 cups (low-fat is fine)
bay leaves
2
kale
1 bunch (washed and chopped)
pasta
1 lb (elbow, shell, or ziti)
Great Northern beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
butter
4 tablespoons (divided)
all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons
sharp white cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (freshly grated)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
whole wheat bread crumbs
1/2 cup
organic chicken hot dogs
1 package (sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, adding a generous amount of salt.
2
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk with the bay leaves. Heat until small bubbles form around the edges—about 5 minutes—then remove from heat and let steep.
3
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, rinse it briefly to halt cooking, and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
4
While the pasta cooks, prepare the kale: trim the stems and boil the leaves in salted water for 1 minute. Remove from the pot, cool slightly, squeeze out excess water, and chop into bite-sized pieces.
5
In a separate small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Once melted and bubbling, whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
6
Remove the bay leaves from the milk and gradually whisk the warm milk into the roux in small amounts until the mixture thickens and smooths out. Stir in the sharp white cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
7
In the large mixing bowl with pasta, combine the cheese sauce, kale, Great Northern beans, and the chicken hot dogs (sliced). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly.
8
Grease a 9x13-inch (or similar-sized) baking pan with the remaining tablespoon of butter. Pour the pasta mixture into the pan and top generously with whole wheat breadcrumbs.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and the top is golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
64g
Carbs
30g
Protein
5g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is a Creamy Kale and Bean Baked Mac 'n' Cheese with Chicken Hot Dogs.
What types of pasta are recommended for this baked mac 'n' cheese?
You can use elbow, shell, or ziti pasta for this recipe.
How should the kale be prepared before adding it to the pasta?
Trim the stems, boil the leaves in salted water for 1 minute, cool them slightly, squeeze out excess water, and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
What specific beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of Great Northern beans, drained.
What type of meat is included in this mac 'n' cheese?
One package of sliced organic chicken hot dogs is used to add a savory twist.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
There are 570 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 30g of protein.
What kind of cheese is used for the creamy sauce?
The sauce uses 1 1/2 cups of grated sharp white cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Can I use low-fat milk for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe notes that low-fat milk is fine to use.
What is the purpose of the bay leaves in the instructions?
The bay leaves are steeped in the milk for about 5 minutes to infuse flavor before being removed.
How long should the dish bake in the oven?
It should bake for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and the top is golden brown.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs.
Is this recipe considered a balanced meal?
Yes, it combines pasta with sautéed kale, protein-packed beans, and chicken hot dogs for a more balanced comfort food experience.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
How much fiber is in one serving of this mac 'n' cheese?
There is 5g of fiber per serving.
What size baking pan should be used?
A 9x13-inch (or similar-sized) baking pan is recommended.
How do you make the roux for the cheese sauce?
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter and whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, cooking for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
How do you prevent the pasta from overcooking?
Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions and rinse it briefly after draining to halt the cooking process.
How much butter is needed in total?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of butter in total: 3 for the roux and 1 to grease the baking pan.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 64g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sugar is in a serving?
There are 2g of sugar per serving.
What seasonings are added to the pasta mixture?
Salt and freshly ground black pepper are added to taste.
Is the parmesan cheese freshly grated?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How much flour is required for the sauce?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
How much milk is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of milk.
When should the chicken hot dogs be added?
The sliced chicken hot dogs are mixed into the large bowl with the pasta, cheese sauce, kale, and beans before baking.
Should the milk be cold when added to the roux?
The milk should be warm; it is heated with bay leaves before being gradually whisked into the roux.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.