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Quick & Easy

Baked Creamed Spinach Pasta

This baked creamed spinach pasta is comfort in a bowl—creamy, cheesy and utterly delicious! This crowd-pleasing dish combines the velvety richness of creamed spinach with tender pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with a crisp green salad and some garlic bread for a dinner that everyone will rave about.

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces whole-wheat penne
  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into pieces
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (10-ounce) packages baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 ounces low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
  • chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Position oven rack in center; preheat to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch broiler-safe baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook 12 ounces pasta according to package directions. Drain well in a colander; spread on a large rimmed baking sheet. Wipe the pot clean.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese pieces, ¾ cup Parmesan, 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (if using), 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk in 2 cups half-and-half.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add minced shallot and minced garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually add 2 packages spinach; cook, tossing constantly using tongs, until completely wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons flour; cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is evenly coated, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  4. Add the cooked pasta, the cream cheese mixture and ½ cup mozzarella to the pot; stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading into an even layer; sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake until warmed through and slightly bubbling around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
  5. Increase oven temperature to broil. Uncover the baking dish; broil on the center rack until browned on top, about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.