Baked Spinach Pasta

This baked whole wheat pasta dish has a unique combination of tomato,white sauce and spinach. Its full of flavor and rich in calcium, iron, minerals and vitamin C.  Kids will love it and can be savored by the entire family.

Ovie was so excited to watch the cheese bubbling in the oven and then finally turning golden brown. I added an extra layer of cheese in the center of the dish which gave it a very moist and gooey texture. The top layer of the dish also has more cheese and an addition of fresh bread crumbs. This gives it a crunch. She loved the contrast of the crunch on top and the gooey melted cheese in the center.

If you want to avoid the cheese and baking part, just mix the pasta with the sauce and enjoy it on its own. But I must admit, the gratinated cheese & bread crumbs combo is just so delicious.

Baked Spinach Pasta
Makes 1 small dish

Whole Wheat Pasta: 1 cup(any kind)

Butter: 1 tbsp
Rice Flour: 1 heaped tbsp
Milk: 150 ml
Spinach: 1/2 cup blanched & chopped (add upto 1 cup if you like)

Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
Garlic: 1 tsp chopped
Tomato: 1 big - pureed
Italian seasoning / Dried herbs: 1-2 tsp
Salt to taste
Cheese: 1 cup grated (cheddar / mozzarella / processed / etc)
Fresh bread crumbs (wholewheat): 2 tbsp

• Boil pasta as per the instructions on the packet . Strain in cold running water and keep aside.

To prepare the white sauce with spinach:

• Heat butter in a pan and add the rice flour. Use a whisk and stir it on low heat for a couple of minutes. Do not discolor the flour.  
• Add the milk slowly whisking it continuously to remove any lumps and cook. Add a little salt. 
• When the white sauce thickens add blanched, chopped spinach and turn off heat. Keep aside.

 To prepare the tomato paste:

• Heat olive oil in a pan and add the garlic. Saute until light brown and add the onion and cook until soft.
• Add tomato puree and cook until the oil separates from the mixture. Add Italian seasoning and salt. Turn of heat.

• Now, to the tomato sauce, add the spinach-white sauce mixture and combine well.
• Toss in the drained pasta and mix. Check for seasoning & salt but keep in mind that you will be adding cheese too. 
• Take a baking dish and slightly grease it. Fill it up with half the pasta. Add a layer of grated cheese. 
• Fill in the remaining mixture in to the dish and top it up with a generous layer of cheese. 
• Sprinkle fresh bread crumbs. 
• Dribble olive oil on top and place in a pre-heated oven.
• Bake at 180 degree Celsius for 20-25 mins or until the cheese has a golden brown colour. 
• Serve warm with garlic bread.