Cheese, spinach and walnut pasta bake recipe

The whole family (even the kids!) will love this cheesy pasta bake with wilted spinach, walnuts and nutmeg. It only takes half an hour to make too so is perfect for the mid-week rush, especially if you forgot the kids have friends round for dinner.

Ingredients

• 300g penne pasta
• 500g semi-skimmed milk
• 3tbsp cornflour
• 130g reduced-fat mature cheese, grated
• A grating of nutmeg (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 200g spinach, washed
• 50g walnut kernels, broken into pieces
• 50g reduced-fat mature cheese (for topping)

Method

1. Bring a saucepan full of salted water to the boil. Add in the pasta and boil until tender.
2. Heat the milk in a non-stick milk pan until tiny bubbles form around the edges. Place the cornflour into a small dish and pour over 5tbsp of the hot milk. Mix together to form a paste then return it to the milk pan.
3. Over a low heat, stir the milk until it starts to thicken. It will get lumpy as it thickens but it will eventually smooth out. Add the reduced-fat mature cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
4. In a separate pan, wilt the spinach and then strain all of the liquid out of it.
5. Strain the pasta, then stir through the cheese sauce. Add the spinach and walnuts and top with the rest of the reduced-fat mature cheese.
6. Place under a hot grill for 5 mins or until the cheese has melted and gone slightly golden.