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1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil.
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2
Preheat oven to 4000 F (2000 C).
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3
Coat 8-inch square or other suitable baking dish with oil. I prefer to sprinkle several drops of olive or vegetable oil into the dish and spread with a small piece of paper towel.
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4
Whisk 1/4 cup of the milk and the flour together in a small bowl or measuring cup. You will end up with a fairly thick, smooth mixture.
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5
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan heat the rest of the milk (1 1/2 cups) over medium heat, until steaming. Stir frequently.
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6
Add the flour milk mixture and stir or whisk as it thickens. This will take 3 to 5 minutes approximately.
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7
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the grated cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
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8
Add the cottage cheese, stir until melted.
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9
Add the salt, pepper, oregano, basil and nutmeg. Stir.
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10
In another pot or steamer, cook the spinach until just wilted. Stir the spinach so it evenly steams.
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11
Remove from heat after 2 to 3 minutes.
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12
Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.
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13
Press out excess moisture and transfer to a cutting surface. Chop and set aside.
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14
In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs, oil and paprika.
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15
Add macaroni to boiling water, stirring to prevent it from sticking. Cook, stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes.
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16
Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.
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17
Remove 4 to 6 garlic cloves from the roasted garlic. (squeeze out or lift out with the tip of a knife). Chop the garlic.
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18
Add the macaroni to the saucepan with the cheese mixture if the saucepan is large enough. Otherwise mix the macaroni and the cheese mixture in a large bowl.
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19
Add the chopped roasted garlic to this mixture. Use a spatula to mix evenly and thoroughly.
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20
Spread half of the macaroni cheese mixture evenly in the baking dish.
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21
Spread the chopped spinach on top of the layer of macaroni and cheese.
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22
Add the second half of the macaroni cheese mixture.
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23
Sprinkle the paprika breadcrumb mixture on top.
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24
At this point you could cover and refrigerate the dish overnight or for a day.
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25
Cover the baking dish with a lid or foil and place in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes.
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26
Uncover and bake for a further 5 minutes, until the bread crumb mixture is crispy. You may want to adjust the timing according to your preference to have the dish more liquidy or drier.
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27
Remove from oven and serve.
