Baked pasta | Dinner ideas

Ingredients

• 1.25 cup Penne pasta
• 6 cups water
• Salt
• 1 tbsp butter/ Olive oil
• 2 cups Spinach (I used baby spinach)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder (or 1 tsp chopped garlic)
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika (or Cayenne pepper/ chilli flakes)
• 1/2 tsp Italian herb (like dried oregano)
• 1/4 cup Cream cheese
• 3/4 cup Pasta sauce (I used one with basil)
• 1 cup Grated Mozzarella cheese (plus more if needed)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring 6 cups water to boil and cook pasta as per directions given in the package.

2. 2

   Once al dente, keep aside. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooked water in case you need later.

3. 3

   Clean and chop spinach roughly.

4. 4

   In a heavy bottomed pan, heat butter or olive oil.

5. 5

   Tip in the chopped spinach. Sprinkle sugar and saute 2 mins in medium heat.

6. 6

   Pour pasta sauce, 2 tbsp of reserved pasta cooked water, paprika, cream cheese, garlic powder, cooked pasta and little salt if needed.

7. 7

   Mix well and cook for a minute. Switch off the flame.

8. 8

   Preheat oven at 200 deg C for (10-12 mins)

9. 9

   Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish, I usually use one oval and one small round dish.

10. 10

    Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top to cover the pasta.

11. 11

    Bake for 12-14 mins or until the cheese turns golden.

12. 12

    Sprinkle some Italian herb, chilli flakes to serve.