It is getting closer to the scariest Holiday of them all – Halloween. Why not treat your little ones, or yourself to a spooky Halloween green mac n’ cheese.

This recipe was inspired by a Gilmore Girls episode where Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) the chef, makes a jalapeno mac and cheese for a kids party because kids love mac n’ cheese, right? Needless to say the kids did not appreciate her creation. Well, we can make a green mac n’ cheese for a spooky Halloween treat without making it too spicy to eat, with this green pesto mac n’ cheese.

Green Mac n' Cheese ingredients laid out on a silver background: Green pesto, garlic, walnuts and shredded cheese. — Green Mac n’ Cheese ingredients.

This time around I used store bought pesto, I like this Aldi one or use your favourite brand. When time allows, I use this classic pesto recipe from BBC goodfood to add a slimy colour to this kids’ favourite meal.

Did I mention how quick this dish comes together? And easy to scale. Make a comforting plate for yourself or feed a house full of hungry ghouls, this recipe fits any size party.

A hand adds flour from a pink pot to melted butter in a pot on a stove top to create a basic roux. — Adding flour to melted butter to create a basic roux.

Basic roux cooking on the stove, while a hand adds minced garlic from a pink bowl. — Adding garlic to a basic roux

Basic roux cooking on the stove, while adding milk to create the mac n' cheese sauce. — The making of mac n’ cheese sauce.

Variations

If you are not celebrating Halloween this weekend, I have a recipe for a classic mac n’ cheese too. Other versions are Taco mac n’ cheese, Tangy blue cheese mac n’ cheese or why not try my Mac n’ cheese with a French twist. If there is a specific version you would like me to try, leave a comments below, or send an email.

A bowl of green Mac n' Cheese topped with green pesto and shredded cheese, sitting on top of a green and white table cloth.

Print Recipe

Halloween Green Mac n’ Cheese

A creepy, but delicious green pesto mac and cheese for Halloween

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Halloween, mac n cheese, pasta

Servings: 4 portions

Ingredients

300 g pasta

Base:

40 grams butter
2 tbsp flour
1 garlic clove minced
300 ml milk
¼ tsp salt
A pinch of pepper
200 gram medium cheddar cheese
100 ml pasta water optional
4 tbsp green pesto store bought works fine

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Save some of the pasta water for the end, if you desire a more saucy sauce.
Melt butter in a sauce pan.
Add the flour and stir until grainy and cooked through.
Peel and mince the garlic and add to the sauce pan, let cook for about a minute, make sure you don’t burn the garlic.
Add the milk and whisk vigorously to avoid lumps.
Add salt and pepper and let cook together. Be careful so it doesn’t boil over.
Cook until sauce has thickened, about five minutes.
Add the shredded cheese and keep stirring until the cheese is melted. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the pasta water and stir again.
Add in the green pesto and stir.
Serve in a bowl over pasta and sprinkle more shredded cheese on top, if desire.

3 responses to “Spooky Halloween green mac n’ cheese”

Classic Mac n' Cheese – Agile in the kitchen

October 28, 2024

[…] Add a spoonful of Dijon mustard for a French twist or a spoonful of taco seasoning for a different flavour palate. Another favourite is this creamy version or why not try it with blue cheese instead. in Halloween times, try my spooky green Halloween mac n’ cheese. […]

Tangy blue mac n' cheese – Agile in the kitchen

October 28, 2024

[…] I am getting quite a collection of different Mac n Cheese recipes now. There is the regular classic one, a super creamy one, when the regular mac n’ cheese just don’t feel creamy enough. How about making an easy taco version? Or try this French twist version. Or a baked version with its crunchy panko top will elevate your mac n’ cheese experience. In Halloween times, try my spooky green mac n’ cheese. […]

Super Creamy Mac n' Cheese – Agile in the kitchen

October 28, 2024

[…] Or go straight to this taco version for a spicy version of Mac n’ Cheese. Or a tangy version, using blue cheese. If you feel adventurous add some Dijon mustard to this French twist mac n’ cheese. For a fun mac n’ cheese version during Halloween, why not try my spooky green mac n’ cheese. […]

Spooky Halloween green mac n’ cheese