Baked Spinach-Artichoke Mac and Cheese

May 15, 2021

30 Minute Meals

By: Chris Petrellese 

Everyone’s favorite party dip got a main course makeover! We’ve got layers of tang thanks to the grilled artichokes and lemon zest, mingling with the creamy cashew cheese, crunchy bread crumbs in perfectly cooked pasta. What are you waiting for? Go make this right now!

Overhead image of baked spinach artichoke mac and cheese in baking dish with spoon.

This Spinach-Artichoke Mac and Cheese is inspired by the ever so popular spinach and artichoke dip. It has all of the best elements of the dip but in pasta and will be a winner for kids and adults alike. This recipe is from Megan Sadd’s new cookbook Vegan Yum.

Here’s What We Need for This Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese:

  • Pasta – This recipe calls for elbow-style noodles, but after making it, we think it would be great with any small-medium style noodle, wheat or gluten-free.
  • Artichokes – For this recipe, we are using marinated artichokes that typically come in jars. If you’re looking for a good brand of artichokes, we recommend Mezzetta.
  • Spices and Seasonings – For this baked spinach-artichoke mac and cheese, it will be seasoned with garlic, nutritional yeast, white pepper, and lemon juice, along with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick of heat.
  • Cashews – Cashews mixed with a blend of some of the spices and seasonings mentioned above will serve as our cheese sauce in this recipe.
  • Spinach – The other main component in this recipe next to the artichokes is spinach. Frozen and thawed spinach for this recipe is recommended instead of fresh. The combination of both spinach and artichokes is always a winner in our book.
  • Tapioca Flour – This will serve as a thickener in the cheese sauce for this recipe.
  • Bread Crumbs – These will give the mac and cheese a delicious crunchy element once baked. If you’d like to make this gluten-free, just make sure to use GF bread crumbs (and pasta).
  • Vegan Parmesan – You can use either homemade or store-bought vegan parm for this recipe. If using store-bought, we recommend the Violife parmesan block as it’s the most “realistic” vegan parm we’ve tasted to date.
Overhead image of baked spinach artichoke mac and cheese on plate with fork

Looking for More Recipes Like This Spinach-Artichoke Mac and Cheese?

GIVEAWAY!

If you’d like to enter to win a copy of Megan Sadd’s book Vegan Yum, simply subscribe to our email list and leave a comment down below with the email you subscribed with so we know you entered. You can comment as many times as you’d like, and each comment will count as one entry. This giveaway is for US only.

If you’d like to enter to win any of the other cookbooks, find the links below:

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Overhead image of baked spinach artichoke mac and cheese in baking dish with spoon.

Baked Spinach-Artichoke Mac and Cheese


  • Author: Megan Sadd
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Description

Everyone’s favorite party dip got a main course makeover! We’ve got layers of tang thanks to the grilled artichokes and lemon zest, mingling with the creamy cashew cheese, crunchy bread crumbs in perfectly cooked pasta. What are you waiting for? Go make this right now!


Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons (34g) salt
  • 2 cups (200g) elbow noodles (or gluten-free elbows) 
  • 1 (14 oz [400g]) jar grilled marinated artichoke hearts 
  • 1 (10 oz [283g]) package frozen spinach, thawed 
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 4 clove garlic, divided 
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/8 + 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided 
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
  • 1 1/3 cups (320 ml) water
  • 1/2 cup (80g) raw cashews, soaked for 6 hours or boiled for 10 minutes
  • 3 tablespoons (23g) tapioca flour
  • 3 tablespoons (26g) nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup (60g) shredded vegan Parmesan, divided (see notes)
  • 1/3 cup (37g) regular or gluten-free bread crumbs 

Instructions

  1.  Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Add 2 tablespoons (34 g) of salt to a medium pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook the elbow pasta for one minute less than a package instructions.
  2. Drain and chop the artichoke hearts. Use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze the excess water from the spinach.
  3. In a medium pan, heat the olive oil. Mince one clove of garlic and add it to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant, then add the spinach, artichoke hearts and lemon zest. Season with 1/8 of a teaspoon of salt and the red pepper flakes. Sauté for two minutes, until the artichokes begin to brown. Remove from the heat.
  4. Put a sauce pan over medium-high heat. While it heats, combine the water, cashews, remaining three cloves of garlic, flour, yeast, three-quarter teaspoon of salt, white pepper and lemon juice in a high-speed blender. Transfer the cashew mixture to the hot pan. Begin stirring right away, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking. When it gets lumpy, stir faster. Continue stirring until the lumps are gone and then add the cooked pasta, spinach-artichoke mixture, and 1/4 cup of the parmesan. Mix well. 
  5. Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9 x 9 inch (23×23 cm) glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and remaining Parmesan over the top. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until bubbling and crisp, then serve!

Notes

  • This recipe works better with store-bought vegan Parmesan. If using homemade Parmesan, reduce the amount to 1/4 cup (30 g) and sprinkle it on top before baking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, which simply means that we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!

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Recipe rating

  1. Caroline Brown says:

    ❤️

    • Susn Allen says:

      This is pure Genious!!! Thx so much! Im already subscribed to ur mailing list!

  2. Shelly Hawes-Smith says:

    What a genius idea for mac & cheese!

  3. Donna Kay says:

    A really adult take on mac n cheese! Great for impressing dinner guests.

  4. Amanda says:

    Omg! This looks amazing!!

  5. Katie says:

    This looks soooo good! 🤤

  6. e says:

    Looks good!

  7. devan says:

    this combination is literally perfect

  8. Teresa Downum says:

    I love this dip! The ingredients all blend so well together!

  9. Sharon says:

    Looks amazing! Would love to win this one , and I’ll have to check out her blog.

  10. Hope says:

    I can’t wait to make this! Subscribed to your email list 🙂

  11. Crystal says:

    Definitely gonna make this soon!

  12. Leslie says:

    THIS LOOKS BOMF AF! I WOULD KILL TO HAVE THIS COOKBOOK!!!!😭

  13. Olivia says:

    🤩🤤

  14. filmlore says:

    Hello, I love Mac and Cheese. This vegan version seems so appealing.

  15. Rita says:

    Hi! I entered the competition with email address falco.rita@gmail.com. I’m very excited I really hope to win. I need all the help I can get trying to figure it all out.
    Thank you for your consideration.
    Rita

  16. Sarah Palmani says:

    Looks amazing.

  17. Shana Hornstein says:

    I love spinach artichoke everything! I’d love to win this cookbook.

  18. Lindsay says:

    Thanks for inspiring me with new meal ideas!

  19. Evelyn says:

    can’t wait to try this!

  20. Anita Kannik says:

    Yum! Looks like the perfect combination of two great comfort foods; on my list to make this!

  21. Miranda says:

    I’m so excited to enter the giveaway for a chance to win this cookbook and the others. I used the email address mirandadyer917@yahoo.com

  22. Rebecca Radschlag says:

    Looks sooo good!! 😍

  23. Terra Weston says:

    TerraW06@gmail.com

    This looks like the epitome of comfort food! 🌱

  24. Vicky says:

    Subscribed!

  25. Cassandra says:

    This recipe sounds so super good, and I can’t wait to try it.

  26. Lee says:

    This looks delicious!! I’m excited that I signed up for the email list!

  27. Carly says:

    Hi! I’d love to enter your giveaway for the cookbook – sfmcats@gmail.com I’ve been watching your yt videos for years – keep up the great work! Thanks!

  28. Julie says:

    I love spinach artichoke dip! I never thought about a pasta version. I love when you share other vegan recipes with us and your take on them!

  29. Ronda says:

    I’m so excited to try this! I hope I win a cookbook. Thanks!

  30. Sarah says:

    I am very new to a vegan lifestyle so I think this book would be very helpful for me! I love your guises videos 😀 I subscribed to your mailing list, I can’t wait to see more recipes from you.

  31. Christy Reynolds says:

    Spinach dip is my favorite. This looks delicious.

  32. killian says:

    Carrots & Flowers was the first vegan blog I started following when I first gave up dairy and I started my vegan journey about four years ago; love her and love this recipe!

  33. Mara Mark says:

    Artichokes + spinach + pasta = Yummy win. BUT do you think the recipe can be made as a one pan pasta?

  34. Bailey Wilkison says:

    What a lovely and delicious looking take on mac!! Excited to share this one with my partner! 🙂

  35. Jocelyn says:

    😍😍

  36. Brittany says:

    The recipe looks delish! Entered the giveaway, hope I win so I can make some of her other recipes! 🤗

  37. Martina says:

    Yum! I need this cookbook, I subscribed.

  38. AW says:

    Oh my! This looks amazing, thanks for sharing all these delicious recipes.

    pixelsbypixie@gmail.com

  39. Angela says:

    Entered the giveaway! So stoked. 🙂

  40. Mary says:

    This looks so delicious and versatile. I can imagine making it as a dip without the pasta but this will be a definite one to try as a baked pasta recipe!

  41. Emily Feldman says:

    Looks delicious!
    emilylfeldman1@gmail.com

  42. Jaime says:

    Literally nothing better than baked Mac & cheese or spinach artichoke dip so putting them together has to be the worlds best meal!

    Jaime.naylor1@gmail.com

  43. Melissa Cardenas says:

    Plantpowered23@gmail.com

    This look AMAZING! Seriously this might be one of my all time favorite recipes you’ve shared! Mac and cheese? Yes. Artichokes? Yes. Pasta? YAS

  44. Melissa Cardenas says:

    Plantpowered23@gmail.com

    This recipe looks so good *drool*

  45. Allison says:

    One of the things I miss most now that I’m vegan is a really decadent spinach and artichoke dip – I can never order it at a restaurant, and it makes me sad. Well, not anymore. This recipe looks INCREDIBLE and I’m so excited to try it!

  46. Jasmine Castillo says:

    I seriously can not wait to make this! 😋😋

  47. Jazmine says:

    Would love to get my hands on this cookbook – looks AMAZING 👏

  48. Jazmine says:

    Heading to the store NOW for these ingredients! 🤤

  49. Naomi Edwards says:

    This looks so good, talk about comforting goodness!!

  50. Sally says:

    No WAY am I the first to comment! That recipe looked incredible!

  51. Melissa Cardenas says:

    Plantpowered23@gmail.com

    This looks so good omg

  52. Shaneil Moser says:

    giveawayyyyy shakuky22@hotmail.com <3

  53. Judy says:

    So many recipes in that cookbook sound delicious!

  54. Haddas Beyene says:

    I can’t wait to try this recipe and I’m hoping I can win this giveaway. I’m a vegan newbie and the way this book is set up could truly help me with the transition. Love y’all! Oh yea, email address I used was mzbeyene@gmail.com.

  55. Maddie Hutchison says:

    Love it! Maddiehutch33@gmail.com

  56. Lisa LaPorte says:

    Yum!

  57. Kristalyn says:

    I thiiiink there’s a step missing between 4 and 5 where you heat everything together in a pan 😂 I’m trying this tonight and I’m very excited!

  58. Jennifer says:

    Jsouthee21@gmail.com. This would be great for a potluck!

  59. Bernadette says:

    I am definitely trying this!

  60. Rose says:

    Grown up Mac & cheese, yes please!

  61. Samantha Hawrysko says:

    I am always looking for easy delicious vegan mac and cheese as well as I miss spinach and artichoke dip so this is a perfect combo of both!

  62. Victoria Henry says:

    Looks so decadent!

  63. Aileen Carrera says:

    acarrera1101@gmail.com

    Love the book and recipe <3

  64. Allie says:

    Yay

  65. Gabi says:

    Your reactions on the taste test of this recipe sold me! I will definitely be trying this recipe 🙂

  66. Savannah says:

    This looks so good!! I will be trying out this recipe asap!

  67. Deanna Ross says:

    Soo good!

  68. C. L. says:

    I really need to lay off the pasta, you guys! So I’m going to attempt a version of this with zoodles. I will try to report back re: success or failure.

  69. Jackie Lopez says:

    lopez.jackie963@gmail.com

  70. Rebecca says:

    Reminds me of my favorite dip. I have been searching for a similar veganized version of that dip forever. This might do the trick and satiate those cravings – it looks delicious! Going to give it a try asap. Love to win the give away of her book! Thanks!

  71. Maggie says:

    maggienwalsh@gmail.com I cannot WAIT to try this, I’m making some boxed Annie’s Mac and cheese to tide me over until I get the ingredients 💖

  72. Amanda Parrish says:

    I printed out this recipe and am excited to try it.

  73. Oscar Bermudez says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe! Entered the giveaway with oscarsbermudez@gmail.com

  74. Jenna Rose says:

    I just subscribed after watching Sweet Simple Vegan make this recipe and am so excited to have found your blog! Looking forward to trying these recipes out and hopefully even winning the cookbook. <3

  75. Jenna Rose says:

    I love all things spinach and artichoke. This looks amazing. Happy new subscriber.

  76. Jessica says:

    I think I am most excited to try this one! Subscribed under jessicawatt20@gmail.com.

  77. Emma says:

    Yum! Entered to win! 🙂

  78. Kelly Loy says:

    Delicious!

  79. Daniela says:

    Tapioca starch does wonders!
    Hope I win!

  80. Kelly says:

    This looks like yummy comfort food

    Lavitabella23@yahoo.com

    2nd entry

    Thanks

  81. kaitlyn vladislavich says:

    so yummy! 🤩

  82. Caitlin says:

    I’ve been craving spinach artichoke dip!

  83. Nancy Santana-Costa says:

    Looks amazing, can’t wait to try this one out. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed nancy.santana @laverne.edu

  84. Laura Bajurin says:

    Subscribed to the newsletter! Mac & Cheese + Spinach Artichoke Dip?! Amazing idea!! (for the giveaway❤️)

  85. Maryam says:

    This is such a good combination, need to try!! I entered with maryam1ziaei@gmail.com

  86. Olivia Sayah says:

    Ooooh my two favorite things combined!!! Subscribed with olivia.sayah@gmail.com

  87. MariaFernanda says:

    Looks so good, can’t wait to try It!
    Mafelancheros@yahoo.com

  88. Kat Ortiz says:

    This looks so delicious! 🤤

  89. Ava says:

    I’ve never made vegan cheese using tapioca flour but am excited to try it!
    giveaway email: avaxwaters@gmail.com

  90. Echo Brathwaite says:

    😋

  91. Katie says:

    This looks amazing!!

  92. Savannah Lomeli says:

    lomelisavannah@gmail.com 🙏🏼

  93. Kenia H says:

    Here’s my sign to make more yummy pasta dishes! 😂 I will definitely be trying this recipe for the next time I have friends over for dinner! I can’t even imagine how many other good recipes this book must have!

  94. Marie E Bermudez says:

    Helloo! It’s me again, checking out another awesome recipie and also entering my self into this giveaway for the cookbook. I just recently got surgery so i’m stuck at home indoors making all my favorite vegan recipies that I never have time for, thank you again for the suggestion.

  95. Ainsley says:

    This looks amazing! Must-try!
    ainsmia@gmail.com

  96. Savannah Lomeli says:

    Email: lomelisavannah@gmail.com
    Insta: @kissmewhileitsloading

  97. Savannah Lomeli says:

    Email: lomelisavannah@gmail.com
    Insta: @kissmewhileitsloading ✨

  98. Sheryl says:

    Sounds yummy, will need to make this one!

  99. Jordyn Bouch says:

    Love that you always support and promote others, thanks for sharing!

  100. Julie says:

    Love adding extra veggies to Mac and cheese! Will definitely be making this soon

  101. Bre says:

    Looooove spinach artichoke dip so I pasta form is heaven!
    Breanna.L.cahs@gmail.com

  102. esperanza says:

    this looks delicious!!

  103. Melinda says:

    I recently subscribed, and am thrilled with this recipe! I’ve got spinach and artichokes waiting to be made into something yummy, and this fits the bill perfectly!

  104. Dyanne says:

    This recipe looks so delicious! I have it on the menu.
    Subscribed with dyanne.l.elliott@gmail.com

  105. Dyanne says:

    😀
    Dyanne.l.elliott@gmail.com

  106. Jean DePerna says:

    I can’t wait to try this! I’m already subscribed to your email list.

  107. Jennifer says:

    This is getting made ASAP!!! I love spinach and artichoke dip!! And if its anything like her sundried tomatoes mac and cheese, then you know it’s a winner! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  108. Caitlin Arias says:

    I didn’t think Mac N Cheese could get any better until this recipe. Amazing!

  109. Maynard madsen says:

    Great recipe!

    I entered for the giveaway.

  110. Therese says:

    Subscribed! This recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.

  111. Tiffany says:

    I can’t wait to make this dish! Looks delish!

  112. Jennifer says:

    This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it and thanks for entering me in the contest!!

  113. Coleen says:

    Yummo!

  114. Lauren cooper says:

    Cnmtlauren@aol.com
    Cookbook entry

  115. Emma Phillips says:

    This looks awesome!!

  116. Emily says:

    Love mac and cheese and spinach artichoke dip so def need to try this recipe!!

  117. Lisa C Zeankowski says:

    I absolutely love this recipe and would love to try others, winning your recipe book would be awesome, especially during these hard times.
    Lisa

  118. Allysa K says:

    Another yummy looking recipe. You guys picked out some great recipes from these books!

  119. Chelsea says:

    This looks so yummy. can’t wait to try it

  120. Michelle Everhart says:

    Delicious idea!

  121. karen says:

    I would love to win a copy of your cookbook

  122. Briana Prieto says:

    I have all the ingredients! I’m making it this week!
    briana18x@gmail.com

  123. Angelica Bronson says:

    Making this tonight!

  124. Amber W says:

    This is my entry comment ☺️

  125. Terri says:

    Yum! Can’t wait to make!

  126. Connie Shi says:

    Not a super big fan of artichokes, but I’ll have to give this one a try! Subscribed with connie.k.shi@gmail.com!

  127. Sheryl Beck says:

    Oooh, looks yummy!

  128. Lisa Tse says:

    Artichokes! Yes!

  129. Ell says:

    This looks so good! Do you think I could substitute potatoes/carrots for the cashews for a nut allergy?

  130. Sondy says:

    This looks SO decadent. I can’t wait to make this for my husband. Good luck in the drawing, everybody!

  131. Emily says:

    omg need to try

  132. Tara says:

    This looks like a great dinner recipe! aratj04@gmail.com

  133. Eriel says:

    Is there a substitute for tapioca flour? I have everything else at home already 🙂
    erielcavanaugh@gmail.com

  134. Jenny says:

    This is top of my list to make! It looked amazing in your YouTube video

  135. Daria Catenacci says:

    Dariacatenacci@gmail.com

  136. Casey says:

    Oh my goodness. This looks epic. Can’t wait try this and other recipes!
    casey.r.marks@gmail.com

  137. Jazmine says:

    I have now tried it and can actually rate! This recipe was SO good, so quick and easy with SO much flavor. Non vegan approved, too 😉

  138. Robin Bathke says:

    Robinb59@comcast.net
    Looks and sounds delish!

  139. Jaime Naylor says:

    Jaime.naylor1@gmail.com

  140. Looking forward to your recipes in my email.

  141. Iris VanDyke says:

    I can’t wait to make this!
    Irisqbrcr@yahoo.com

  142. Michelle says:

    This looks amazing!
    Mjlemus@yahoo.com

  143. Paula Rothman says:

    Looks delicious
    Should never look at these in am. Makes me want to go home and cook
    Paula.ro@att.net

  144. Colby says:

    I tried this and it was delicious!

  145. Kelly says:

    If I just win one that would be incredible.

  146. Shannon says:

    🙂

  147. Michelle says:

    Looks yummy!

  148. Teresa says:

    I’m making this tonight!!

  149. Kathy says:

    Thanks for a free chance to win your cookbook.

  150. Melissa Cardenas says:

    Plantpowered23@gmail.com

    Seriously I can’t decide which of the five recipes in the video are my absolute favorite!

  151. Olivia Camargo says:

    This looks so good!! azfriday@gmail.com

  152. Dalia Reyna says:

    labrujamala77@yahoo.com – Giveaway

  153. Stefanie says:

    Subscribed stef42678@cox.net

  154. Susan says:

    Entered! Thanks! Slp628@gmail.com

  155. Andrea Ujvari says:

    This was a huge hit. We used brown rice pasta, did not bake it, but just sprinkled the bread crumbs on top on our plates. The combination of crunchy and cheesy was absolutely great.

  156. Lyla San Jose says:

    This looks amazing! 🤩
    Lrsjose@yahoo.com

  157. in2insight says:

    OMG this was yummy and tasted amazing.
    How good?
    Two people eat the whole thing for dinner… 🙂
    Thank you for sharing this.

  158. Lori says:

    I can’t wait to make it looks so yummylori

  159. aly says:

    two of my favorite meals combined!

  160. Nicole Aikens-Alexander says:

    nicolealexander83@gmail.com

    Looks amazing

  161. Paula Rothman says:

    signed up
    paula.ro@att.net
    would love this new book

  162. Katie Mulreed says:

    I know some people who are going to love this

  163. Ana Maria Jimenez says:

    Drooling lol
    anamariaji93@hotmail.com

  164. Donna says:

    Can’t wait to try this

  165. Athena Relihan says:

    Entered, would love a copy, definitely going to try this recipe regardless

  166. Karen says:

    This recipe looks amazing! And your reaction in the video says it all! Would love to check out this cookbook. I have both of Sam’s and they’re also worth checking out. Happy adoptaversary, Lou! 😀

  167. Erin Pollen says:

    This looks so delicious! Am making it tonight!

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