Awesome Penne Spinach Bake
Created by KittenCal on December 21, 2011
- Servings: 7
- Prep Time: 25m
- Cook Time: 30m
- Recipe #3640
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry penne pasta (spiral pasta may be used instead of penne)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced (I use lots of garlic!)
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 1/2 cups half and half cream (or whole milk)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups grated swiss cheese (divided)
- 1 large (12 ounce) tomato (finely chopped)
- 1 package (10 ounce) frozen chopped spinach (thawed and well drained, squeeze out any excess moisture with your hands)
- TOPPING
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 to 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
How to Make
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Step 1: Set oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9 baking pan.
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Step 2: Cook the pasta only to firm-tender (don't overcook, as the pasta will cook more when baked in the oven, omit the salt in the water) drain, set aside.
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Step 3: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over med-high heat. Add in the chopped onion and garlic; saute for about 3 minutes. Whisk in the flour, thyme, nutmeg and black pepper; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the half and half; cook for 4 minutes, until thick and bubbly.
How to Make
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Step 4: Add in the grated Swiss cheese, and the Parmesan cheese; mix well over low heat, until the cheese has melted, and the sauce is hot and bubbly; remove the saucepan from the heat.
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Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the cream/cheese sauce, 1/2 cup of the remaining Swiss cheese (it is not necessery to add the remaining 1/2 cup cheese, you may omit if desired), chopped tomato, and the spinach; stir well. Spoon the mixture into a prepared greased baking pan.
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Step 6: For topping; In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, melted butter and the Parmesan cheese; sprinkle the mixture over the casserole in the baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.