Since learning about the differences between modern and ancient wheats, I’ve been experimenting more and more with different varieties of ancient grains. Currently, I’m using a lot of einkorn flour, pasta, and wheat berries in my cooking. I enjoy that it has 30% more protein than modern varieties of wheat, has 3 times less gluten, more B vitamins and trace minerals like iron, and especially that it tastes wonderful. Einkorn has a sweet, nuttiness to it that makes both savory and sweet baked treats delightful. Being that we’ve been experiencing frigid weather in the midwest I’ve been making heartier comfort foods for my family. We enjoy a good home-made macaroni and cheese so to beef my regular recipe up and give us some added energy during this colder part of the year, I made an einkorn pasta, spinach mac and cheese topped with toasted einkorn wheat berries. Toasting the wheat berries let out a deep, nutty aroma throughout my entire home that left each family member wanting to eat a spoonful of these, still to hard to eat, kernels.
Print
Einkorn Pasta, Spinach Mac and Cheese with Toasted Einkorn Wheat Berries
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 5-6 1x
Description
Einkorn Pasta, Spinach Mac and Cheese with Toasted Einkorn Wheat Berries. A completely comforting and nourishing macaroni and cheese recipe. To save some time in the kitchen, feel free to omit the toasted wheat berries and sprinkle and top with breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) organic einkorn wheat berries
- 2 tbls (30 ml) butter
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 12 oz (340 g) package, organic einkorn fusilli
- 3 tbls salt
- 4 tbls (60 ml) butter
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) Jovial, organic einkorn flour
- 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) milk
- 3 cups (720 ml) cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 tsp, large granule salt
- dash of fresh pepper
- 3 large handfuls spinach
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F
- In a small skillet, melt 2 tbls butter. Add the wheat berries and cook through, toasting, for 3-5 minutes. It will let out a mouth watering, nutty fragrance. While it’s toasting, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a heavy bottomed sauce pan.
- Once toasted, add the wheat berries to the boiling water, lower the heat to a simmer and cook through, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the wheat berries are tender.
- While the wheat berries are cooking through, bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding 3 tbls of salt. Once the water has come to a rolling boil, add the pasta and cook through for 12 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet or cast iron pan, melt 4 tbls butter. Add the onion and cook through until they just start to turn translucent. Add the flour, and whisk through for about 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk and continue to whisk through until it turns into a sauce and thickens. Add 2 cups of cheese, again, whisking through until it melts and everything comes together into creamy goodness.
- Finish by adding a 1/2 tsp of salt… not too much since the cheese already has salt… and a fresh cracking of pepper.
- Once the sauce is done, finish by tossing the spinach with the pasta and then mixing in the creamy cheese sauce.
- Pour the creamy pasta into a baking dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and about 3/4 of the cooked einkorn wheat berries.
- Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes, uncovered.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Pasta
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
- Del Frisco’s Legendary Truffle Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Baked Gruyere Mac and Cheese with Jalapeños
- Creamy Lobster Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
- How to Make Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Frequently Asked Questions
What is einkorn and why use it instead of regular wheat pasta?
The article explains that einkorn is an ancient grain with 30% more protein than modern wheat, 3 times less gluten, more B vitamins, and trace minerals like iron. It also has a sweet, nutty flavor that the author says makes both savory and sweet dishes delightful — which is why 12 oz of einkorn fusilli works so well in this mac and cheese. 
Why are the wheat berries toasted separately before being added as a topping?
The article describes toasting 1 cup of einkorn wheat berries in 2 tbsp butter for 3–5 minutes as releasing a deep, nutty aroma throughout the kitchen. Toasting amplifies their flavor before they are cooked in 2 cups of water for 30–35 minutes and then scattered over the baked mac and cheese as a crunchy textural topping.
Where can I find einkorn pasta and flour?
The recipe specifically calls for Jovial brand organic einkorn fusilli and Jovial organic einkorn flour for the cheese sauce roux. Jovial is widely available online and in natural foods stores, though any einkorn pasta and flour brand will work.
