Description
Welcome to the delightful world of casserole cooking with this Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta Casserole. This recipe combines the earthy flavors of mushrooms with the freshness of spinach and the rich, comforting embrace of creamy cheese sauce, all baked together to create a dish that’s perfect for any gathering or a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
- 1 cup light cream or half and half
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparing the Pasta Preheat the oven to 375F. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain well and set aside.
- Step 2: Cooking the Vegetables Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms are soft and tender. Incorporate the minced garlic, baby spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
- Step 3: Creating the Sauce Whisk in the flour until lightly browned, roughly 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth, followed by the cream. Continue to cook and whisk constantly until the mixture is incorporated, approximately 1-2 minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and remove from heat.
- Step 4: Assembling the Casserole Transfer the cooked pasta into a large 13×9 baking dish. Pour the spinach and mushroom cream sauce over the pasta, ensuring even coverage. Top evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Step 5: Baking Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and slightly golden. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes