Pasta, cheese, milk, butter, and egg combined to make this creamy cheese and spinach pasta bake.
This cheese and spinach pasta bake recipe combine a delicious homemade cheese sauce together with an eggy, omelette mix which gives the bake a light texture. Pack with spinach leaves and top with more cheese for a crispy finish. This recipe works out as 490 calories per serving.
Ingredients
- 250g robust fresh spinach
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 100g penne or similar pasta
- 60g butter
- 60g plain flour
- 300ml milk
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- 100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 4-6 gratin dishes, buttered
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Set the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Put a baking sheet in to heat up. Place a pan on the heat and add the washed spinach, cover and cook for a couple of mins, until just wilted. Drain well and set aside.
- Put the pan back on the heat, pour in boiling water, add some salt and the pasta and cook until just tender. Drain well. Run cold water through it and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium-sized pan, add the flour to make a thick paste and cook for a couple of mins. Gradually add the milk, beating well to make a thick sauce. Cook for a few minutes, then add some grated nutmeg and plenty of seasoning, the cheese, the egg yolks, pasta and chopped spinach.
- Whisk the egg whites until firm, beat a spoonful into the cheese sauce, then fold in the rest. Divide between the dishes, put them on the hot baking sheet and bake for 30-35 mins until risen and golden.
Top tips for making cheese and spinach pasta bake
Make this dish even more filling by adding shredded chicken or beef to the mix. If you’re using raw meat, make sure you cook it thoroughly before adding so it is cooked all the way through.
You might also like...
Low calorie meals (opens in new tab): Dinners under 500 calories
How to cook pasta
Tuna pasta bake
Jessica Dady is Senior Content Editor at Goodto.com and has over 10 years of experience as a digital journalist, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the best food hampers to cookbooks, from the best cake stands to baking sets, Jessica has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to must-have food products. A passionate baker, she spends much of her time creating celebration cakes for friends and family - particularly for her two lucky children.
-
Vegetable Bolognese
This lovely, chunky vegetable Bolognese makes a perfect evening meal whether you're vegetarian or just trying to cut down on your meat consumption.
By Jessica Dady • Last updated
-
Slow roasted tomato pasta
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Prawn pasta with cherry tomatoes and lemon
Our prawn pasta with cherry tomatoes and lemon is so simple to make at home and is bursting with plenty of flavour - the perfect mid-week meal.
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan basil pesto courgetti with tomatoes and chilli
It takes just four ingredients to make this simple, healthy courgette recipe infused with pesto...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan chilli pesto tagliatelle
A really simple dish to whip up for lunch or dinner using just five store cupboard ingredients...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
Vegan tomato pesto chickpea salad
It takes just 30 minutes to make this vibrant, filling salad with a rich tomato pesto sauce...
By Jessica Dady • Published
-
What is TikTok pasta sieve hair? The 'curly hair' trend explained
Here's all you need to know before you rush to the kitchen to try it...
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Nigella peanut butter pasta could be your new go-to dish
Would you try the trending Nigella peanut butter pasta?
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
When does autumn start? First day of autumn 2022
If you're wondering when does autumn start in the UK, we reveal the official date and month that marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn
By Ellie Hutchings • Last updated