Macaroni Pie with Collard Greens (Printable Version)
Creamy cheese sauce-covered pasta baked to golden perfection, served alongside savory, slow-simmered collard greens.
# What You'll Need:
→ Macaroni Pie
01 - 300 g (10.5 oz) elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 480 ml (2 cups) whole milk
05 - 180 g (1½ cups) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - 60 g (½ cup) mozzarella or Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
07 - 1 tsp dry mustard or ½ tsp prepared mustard
08 - Salt and pepper, to taste
09 - ½ tsp paprika (plus extra for topping)
10 - 2 eggs, beaten
11 - Optional: ¼ tsp cayenne or hot sauce for a kick
→ Collard Greens
12 - 1 bunch collard greens, stemmed and chopped
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil or bacon grease
14 - 1 small onion, chopped
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 240 ml (1 cup) vegetable broth or water
17 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
18 - 1 tsp sugar
19 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
20 - Optional: red pepper flakes or smoked paprika
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Cook macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
02 - In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and thickened.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat, stir in cheddar, mozzarella, mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir in beaten eggs quickly to avoid scrambling, then fold in cooked pasta.
04 - Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, sprinkle top with cheese and paprika. Bake 25–30 minutes or until set and golden brown.
05 - Heat oil in a large skillet or pot. Add onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add collard greens, broth, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve hot macaroni pie with a generous helping of collard greens on the side.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Ready in just over an hour from start to finish
- Uses everyday ingredients you likely have on hand
- The perfect balance of rich comfort food and nutritious greens
- Adaptable for different dietary needs with simple swaps
02 -
- This macaroni pie is firm enough to cut into clean slices unlike looser mac and cheese
- The dish freezes beautifully for future meals
- The vinegar in the collards helps preserve their vibrant green color