Penne Spinach Goodness

Submitted by skylur

"A casserole dish with penne, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes (opt.) in a white sauce topped with breadcrumbs. A healthy crowd pleaser!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 lb penne (or whatever pasta on hand)
• 2 cups onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 ounces frozen spinach, chopped cooked and drained
• fresh spinach, cooked until wilted drained
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (baby bellas taste nicer)
• 1 large tomatoes, chopped (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
• wheat germ
• white sauce
• 1⁄2 - 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons flour
• salt and pepper
• oregano

directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan, or coat bottom of pan evenly with olive oil. Saute onions and garlic until onions start to become translucent.
2. While your onions and garlic are cooking, start water to boil for your spinach.
3. Add mushrooms to onions and garlic. Saute and season with your oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and stir occasionally for 5-10 minutes or until mushrooms are done.
4. Once mushrooms are done add the tomato if using, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add cooked spinach and mix.
5. Start water for cooking your pasta if you haven't already. Boil pasta til al dente, drain.
6. You can make your white sauce in a seperate saucepan, or do what i do and just start making it directly with the vegetables//Heat milk over med heat and whisk in flour. Add shredded cheese and stir occasionally until cheese is melted, then give your sauce a final whisk to make sure cheese is spread evenly throughout.
7. Combine cooked pasta, vegetables and white sauce and transfer into a 13x9 casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs or wheat germ. Maybe a little paprika or a final dash of pepper.
8. Cover and bake in oven @ 350 degrees for half an hour.

Reviews

[JMMOELLER]

This turned out dry and bland. It just seemed like it "needed something". I may use it as a template in the future, but I will not make it again, as is.