Macaroni And Spinach Casserole

This macaroni and spinach casserole recipe is a unique twist on the traditional Italian dish of macaroni cheese. The spinach adds a healthy slant, while the nutmeg creates a deep, aromatic flavor. This is a great dish to rustle up when you've got friends round for tea -serve with some crispy cheesy garlic bread for a treat everyone will love!

Preparation Time 5 mins - Cooking Time 30 mins - Serves 3

Ingredients

200g macaroni

150g canned spinach, drained

500g jar cheese sauce

1 large tomato, sliced

25g grated cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Vegetable stock cube

Method

1. Dissolve the vegetable stock cube in a large pan of boiling water, add the macaroni and cook for the time indicated on the packet, approximately 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pan.

2. A few minutes before the pasta is cooked, warm through the jar of cheese sauce according to the instructions. Pour into the cooked macaroni and stir well.

3. Next, pour half the cheesy macaroni into a flameproof casserole dish. Layer the spinach on top and sprinkle the ground nutmeg over it. Pour the last half of the macaroni on top of the spinach. Arrange the tomato slices around the edge and sprinkle the grated cheese in the middle.

4. Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 190 degrees celsius/ 375 degrees fahrenheit/ gas mark 5 for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling. Serve with a crisp green salad.

Variations

If you have the time, you can of course make up your own cheese sauce instead of using a store-bought variety. Both work equally well, but I use the cheat's way to save a bit of time!

Top Tip

I find that boiling the macaroni (and indeed any other pasta) in a vegetable stock cube adds a bit more depth to dishes than just using plain or salted water.

Nutrition Nugget

Among the key health benefits of spinach are that regular consumption of it may help to protect us against arthritis, osteoporosis and heart disease.

For more easy casserole recipe ideas like this spinach casserole, click here.

Or return to our home page for other tasty twists on vegetarian foods.

P.S. We also now have a fantastic FREE monthly newsletter, Bon Appetit!, which you can sign up to for exclusive recipes, handy cooking tips and techniques, and honest product reviews.