How to make cheesy spinach pasta

Make Cheesy Spinach Pasta

14
STEPS
INGREDIENTS

Drain noodles.

Drain noodles.

I like to stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to avoid stickiness plus some basil flakes & a little salt & pepper to taste

I like to stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to avoid stickiness plus some basil flakes & a little salt & pepper to taste

I grew this spinach. You can also buy fresh or frozen already chopped. I've used that before too.

I grew this spinach. You can also buy fresh or frozen already chopped. I've used that before too.

Food processor can be used to chop spinach but be careful not to over chop too fine.

Food processor can be used to chop spinach but be careful not to over chop too fine.

Chopping / cutting with knife by hand works fine too (and far less parts to wash than with food processor).

Chopping / cutting with knife by hand works fine too (and far less parts to wash than with food processor).

Assemble ingredients.

Assemble ingredients.

To make white sauce.... Melt butter in medium saucepan.

To make white sauce.... Melt butter in medium saucepan.

Stir in salt & pepper.

Stir in salt & pepper.

Slowly add flour while stirring....

Slowly add flour while stirring....

Whisk in flour till smooth...

Whisk in flour till smooth...

When well blended on medium heat, time to add 2 cups milk.

When well blended on medium heat, time to add 2 cups milk.

Whisk in milk slowly till well blended. Continue heating and stirring.

Whisk in milk slowly till well blended. Continue heating and stirring.

Cook till bubbling and thick. Remove from heat.

Cook till bubbling and thick. Remove from heat.

Spoon a layer of pasta onto buttered 9x9 glass baking dish.

Spoon a layer of pasta onto buttered 9x9 glass baking dish.

Spread evenly as the first layer.

Spread evenly as the first layer.

Next layer 1/3 of the cheese. (Today I mixed in some motzerella with cheddar. You can use a mix of Colby jack too. Be creative ... Or simply use up what you have on hand.

Next layer 1/3 of the cheese. (Today I mixed in some motzerella with cheddar. You can use a mix of Colby jack too. Be creative ... Or simply use up what you have on hand.

Layer half of your chopped spinach.

Layer half of your chopped spinach.

Spread evenly.  You could experiment by adding some finely chopped red and yellow bell peppers for color and flavor, & also onion!

Spread evenly. You could experiment by adding some finely chopped red and yellow bell peppers for color and flavor, & also onion!

Drizzle half of white sauce evenly over spinach layer.

Drizzle half of white sauce evenly over spinach layer.

Repeat pasta, cheese, spinach, sauce and top with fairly solid layer of cheese.

Repeat pasta, cheese, spinach, sauce and top with fairly solid layer of cheese.

You can see layers through the glass sides. You can't really mess this up.

You can see layers through the glass sides. You can't really mess this up.

Place in preheated 350\u00b0 oven 35 - 40 minutes.  To prevent over-browning, loosely tent over with foil.

Place in preheated 350° oven 35 - 40 minutes. To prevent over-browning, loosely tent over with foil.

Let set 20+ minutes for easier slicing. Serve warm! Our dog Molly loves cheese. Right now she is wishing she was human.

  • 4.0c Wide egg noodles or Bowties
  • 4.0c Grated Cheddar Cheese
  • 3.0c Chopped Spinach
  • WHITE SAUCE...
  • 2.0c Milk
  • 6.0Tbsp Flour
  • 6.0Tbsp Butter
  • 1.0tsp Salt
  • 1/4tsp Pepper
  • Basil (optional)