Macaroni With Spinach and Roasted Tomato

:: One funny thing about the quinoa macaroni is that it almost tripled in size.  Considering the hefty portion of protein packed into it, I opted for about 1/2 a pound to serve four people, which turned out to be plenty.  We even had enough for leftovers ::

  
   { Preparation & Cooking Time : 45 Min }
             Difficulty : Average 
            Meal Type : Tomato
                  Serves : 2-4


       Ingredients
 • 1 pound macaroni,
   or 8 oz. quinoa macaroni
 • 2 tablespoons butter
 • 2 tablespoons flour
 • 4 cloves garlic
 • 2 cups milk
 • 2 sweet onion
 • 8 ounces spinach
 • 2 lbs, campari tomatoes, seeded and halved
 • 1 cup shredded mont jack cheese
 • 2 ounces cream cheese
 • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
 • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
 • salt & pepper

        Preparation Method
1. First Set the oven to 400 degrees. And Cut the tomatoes in half, and push out the 
  seeds. Now Place them on a lined baking sheet, skin side up, and coat them with a
  little olive oil, salt and pepper.  Put the baking sheet into the oven on the top rack,
  and roast for 10-15 minutes, just long enough for the skins to brown a little and the
  "meat" to soften.  

2. Now Boil and drain the macaroni according to package directions.  Rinse the macaroni
  with cold water to stop it from cooking, then toss it with a little olive oil and salt &
  pepper.  That will help keep the macaroni from sticking together while you are
  preparing the rest of the dish.

3. In a large sauce pan, combine the butter, and half of the garlic.  Set the heat to
   medium, and stir the butter and garlic until the butter melts completey. Now Raise the
   heat just a little bit, then add the flour. Whisk together. Keep whisking the butter and
   four. As the roux cooks, the butter will foam, and the garlic will sweat. Cook the roux,
   while whisking continuously for about 5 minutes.  Now Slowly add the milk, whisking to
   avoid any lumps.  Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.  Add the
   cream cheese, and let it melt completey.  Slowly add the shredded cheese, stirring as 
   you drop it in, letting it melt. When the cheese has totally melted, add the paprika 
   and the parsley.  Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper, then taste it to see if
   it needs some more.  The key to cheese sauces is salt.  If it tastes bland to you, try
   adding a little more salt. Taste, and add, then taste again. Adding the salt little by little
   will help you get the flavor just right.

4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  Add the onion, and
   the remaining garlic to the pan.  Cook until the onions clear.  Raise the heat to medium
   -high or high, then add about 1/3 of the spinach.Use a pair of tongs to toss the spinach
   in the pan.  When it wilts, add another 1/3 of the spinach, and repeat until all the
   spinach is cooked.  

:: You can serve the pasta with the toppings and sauce over it, or you can mix all of the
  ingredients together in a big pot.  It will taste great either way, so the choice is up to
  you.  I find that the dish looks prettier when the sauce is draped over the noodles, and
  the spinach and tomatoes are plopped on top.  However, mixing it all together has a
  much more hearty, classic mac n' cheese feel to it, so without considering looks,
  I prefer it that way ::

             ENJOY