Creamy Spinach Pasta Casserole
Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with this Creamy Spinach Pasta Casserole! This indulgent dish combines tender penne pasta, fresh sautéed spinach, and a luxuriously rich homemade cheese sauce, all baked to golden-bubbly perfection. With layers of gooey mozzarella, a Parmesan-enhanced white sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this casserole is a dreamy combination of creamy and crunchy textures. A hint of nutmeg and red pepper flakes adds just the right touch of warmth and spice, while the ease of preparation makes it a family-friendly favorite for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleasing addition to any dinner table. Ready in under an hour and packed with hearty, wholesome ingredients, this vegetarian pasta bake is a delicious way to sneak greens into your meal while keeping everyone asking for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 16 ounces Fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spinach, and creamy sauce. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta.
Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by an even layer of breadcrumbs.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
563 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.2 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.7 g | 108% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 97 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 927 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 22.3 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 531 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 613 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
