Totally Healthy Fake Out Spinach Avocado Mac and Cheese (for the little ones)

November 20, 2014

Toddler food is hard. I made my kids believe this totally healthy fake out spinach avocado mac and cheese was really mac and cheese. It worked for a long time. The creaminess comes from the Greek yogurt and the avocado. You honestly don’t even have to add cheese to this healthy mac and cheese. Also, if your kids become picky, make this healthy mac and cheese for the adults in your life.Totally Healthy Fake Out Spinach Avocado Mac and Cheese (for the little ones) | Sarcastic Cooking

This week has been a true stand-off. It has been filled with tears and maybe a little wine therapy for the adults clearly. I know I probably should have done this earlier but the baby snuggles, they put a spell on me!

I know they won’t last forever so I may have enjoyed cuddling and rocking my sweet demon child to sleep every night. For those of you non parental types, if you couldn’t tell, I am talking about good old crying it out.

I always find myself questioning every little thing I do as a parent. Like, is the amount of heartache and tears flowing from my kids’ eyes really worth it? You’re telling me that if I rock Andy to sleep every night, he will still want that when he is 12?

I highly doubt it. Alas, we are still sticking with breaking him of his dependency upon us for sleeping comfort. That might sound bad, but yep, we are slowly trying to break my child’s spirit.

It is not going as easy as you may think. Each night I watch him cry on the video monitor to make sure he doesn’t try to launch himself out of the crib. Talk about mom torture. And the first night he sat there like a little baby Gandhi in the midst of a peaceful protest. No matter how much his little sleepy head bobbled back and forth, he was not giving up.

Totally Healthy Fake Out Spinach Avocado Mac and Cheese | @sarcasticcook

After two and a half hours, he finally rolled over and went to sleep. I had the monitor muted but I like to think he sighed and said, “You win this round, parents!”

Each night has gotten progressively better. That is, until the next round of teeth comes in or he gets sick and we become super cuddle comfort parents again.

So, I may not have this whole sleeping pattern for kids thing down, but (knock on wood) I got that food for kids thing down!

HEALTHY Green Mac and Cheese for Little Eaters | Sarcastic Cooking

My favorite meal to make for Andy is this little mac and cheese that contains no cheese but still feels like mac and cheese to those sticky fingered little rugrats. It is chock full of spinach too!!! The secret that makes this pasta creamy is Greek yogurt and half of an avocado.

Plus it makes it a really pretty green.

Fake Out Healthy Mac and Cheese Aftermath

Definitely have the wipes on hand after this meal. Oh! And this isn’t just for kids, all the adults I know like it too!

Totally Healthy Fake Out Spinach Avocado Mac and Cheese

A sneaky way to get kinds (and some adults) to eat their leafy greens. Creamy spinach and avocado pasta that has the feel of mac and cheese.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 Ounces Cooked Whole Wheat/Gluten Free Small Shell Noodles
  • 4 Cups Fresh Spinach
  • ½ Avocado cubed
  • ¼ Cup Olive Oil
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon Low-Sodium Vegetable/Chicken Stock
  • OPTIONAL: 1 Tablespoon Low-Fat Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

  1. Add the spinach to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add in the avocado, olive oil, seasonings, Greek yogurt, and stock. Puree until smooth.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and then add noodles. Cook noodles according to packaging instructions. Drain pasta and set off to the side to slightly cool in the colander.
  3. Add the cooked noodles back to the pot they were cooked in, add the sauce to the pot, and then mix until evenly coated. Serve warm.

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  • Vanessa
    July 27, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Is this a good dish for 9 month old?

    • Stefanie
      July 29, 2017 at 10:01 pm

      yes. that’s about the age my boys started eating it on the regular.

  • liz
    March 22, 2017 at 1:40 pm

    have you frozen this before? I really like to have some make ahead meals for her for daycare. thanks!! 🙂

    • Stefanie
      March 23, 2017 at 7:47 am

      Hmmm I have never frozen it. I would say if you do, maybe make a big batch of the sauce. Freeze that in small portions and then make the noodles when you are ready to eat/serve them. I don’t know how the whole dish would do in the freezer.

  • You Can Find Me in the Kitchen | Life Amid the Miles
    January 23, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    […] Spinach Avocado Mac & Cheese – My son was actually quite offended I even thought to put this in front of him. And my daughter was excited at the sound of a new macaroni and cheese, but upon trying it was quickly disappointed. However, my husband did seem to enjoy it. […]

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  • Michelle
    January 28, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Found this recipe on Pinterest! Could you sub frozen spinache for fresh? Its the only think I don’t have on hand…

    • Stefanie
      January 28, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Hmmm I definitely think it could work. Just make sure to squeeze out as much liquid from the frozen spinach before you add it to the mix so I doesn’t make it too watery.

  • What’s for Dinner? One Pot Mini Meatball Pasta
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  • Lisa
    December 8, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    I tried that with my oldest and he cried so hard he threw up and that was it. I caved and he slept with my husband and I. He’s 16 now and sleeps through the night (all by himself!) with no residual effects. That being said, I think you have to do what’s best for you and one way or the other, they’ll learn to sleep by themselves at some point. I’m too much of a softy.

    • Stefanie
      December 9, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      I feel you. I said I would never do it, but knock on wood, the CIO method has done the trick for now.

  • Jennie @themessybakerblog
    November 23, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    You’re calling this baby food, but I really, really want a bowl. Would it be terrible I stole the baby’s food? Girl, training your kid to sleep sounds painful. Good luck. If you need cookies or wine, don’t hesitate to email me.

  • Francesca
    November 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    I just poured a glass of wine for you, mama. Stay strong! ps- i’d eat this in a heartbeat.

  • Teffy @ Teffy's Perks
    November 22, 2014 at 4:56 am

    YUM! That looks so delicious, no wonder your baby loves it! Such an amazing way to get those greens in =)

    {Teffy’s Perks} X

  • ATasteOfMadness
    November 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    I can’t imagine what you’re going through! I would totally crumble and want a cuddle session. Good luck!

  • Stephie
    November 21, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Forget kids, I want this for myself! Yum. Also….sleep deprivation. Just hearing about it makes me sad.

  • Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
    November 21, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Oh goodness, we had to do a lovely CIO session with Avery last night and it broke my heart. I hate it so much! But we started her on solids so maybe I’ll make a batch of this yummy pasta as a peace offering for her. 😉 Love that it’s healthy and yummy!

    • Stefanie
      November 21, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Much wine is needed while you listen to your baby cry!!!! Totally a good peace offering.

  • Ashley@blondegirlcravings
    November 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    Hang in there mama! The first night we let our daughter cry it out she cried 2.5 hours, but each night it got better. Now we are stuggling with our son, who is 2.5. Apparently he has decided that we need to sleep train AGAIN. Being a parent is rough sometimes!!! I will think of you while I drink my glass of wine tonight while i listen to my son cry :/

    • Stefanie
      November 21, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Stay strong sister! These kids are just trying to break us and wear us down! I will virtually cheers you tonight!

  • Kathleen
    November 20, 2014 at 8:23 am

    Hang in there! Teaching babies to fall asleep on their own is tough, but totally worth it. If you haven’t already discovered her blog, I highly recommend Alexis at Troublesome Tots for all things baby-sleep related. She is amazing. And she has a FB group, as well, where parents ask questions. Really helpful and assuring!

    • Stefanie
      November 20, 2014 at 11:42 am

      OMG thank you Kathleen! I will totally check that site out!

      • Kathleen
        November 20, 2014 at 3:19 pm

        Seriously, I feel like her post “What You Need to Know About Sleeping Through the Night Part 1” was written for my 1st son, as night waking was our problem. Our pediatrician tried to explain it. But Alexis’s sarcasm resonated much more with my sleep deprived state. Also, in my head, it makes complete sense that all my favorite bloggers should be friends with each other (and with me, obviously.)