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Dinner for 6

Pesto Mac and Cheese

Shell pasta cooks in a creamy pesto sauce with smoked cheeses for a rich stovetop macaroni dish.

Typical price

$4.31for 4 servings

$1.08 per serving$4.31 for 4

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

The amounts listed are small for a full dinner, so this price per serving is likely low. Plan on a side or a bigger portion.

AmericanVegetarianKid-friendlyBudgetFamilyDinnersCold-weather comfort

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

IngredientAmountCost
Pasta$0.10/oz typical11 oz$1.05Typical price
Butter$0.40/oz typical1 oz$0.40Typical price
Milk$0.04/oz typical17 oz$0.68Typical price
Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil)$1.49 each typical0.5$0.74Typical price
Swiss, provolone, gouda$0.40/oz typical8 oz$3.20Typical price
Artichoke hearts, water chestnuts, roasted peppers$0.18/oz typical1 oz$0.18Typical price
Corn on the cob$0.60 each typical0.25$0.14Typical price
Total for the servings shown$6.47

Pantry staples you likely have

FlourSalt and pepper

Not included in the cost.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups large shell pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup wisconsin smoked fontina cheese
  • 1 cup wisconsin aged gouda cheese
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
  • 3/4 cup sweet corn (optional)
  • salt and black pepper (optional)
  • fresh basil (optional)
  • fresh parsley (optional)

Steps

  1. Cook the shell pasta in salted boiling water until tender, then drain it.
  2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk in the flour, and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer for 4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Stir in the pesto, fontina, and gouda until melted, then season with salt and pepper.
  5. Fold in the pasta and optional sun-dried tomatoes and corn, then heat for 3 minutes.

Swaps

  • Milk for Almond, soy or oat milkabout $0.01/oz more at typical prices
  • Butter for Margarine and vegan butterabout $0.15/oz less at typical prices
  • Pasta for Egg noodlesabout $0.04/oz more at typical prices

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