Cheesy Broccoli Spinach and Mushrooms With Shells

⏱ 70 mins 🍽 8 serving(s) 🏷 Pasta Shells

This satisfying pasta bake combines tender shell pasta with broccoli florets, spinach and sliced mushrooms. The vegetables are enveloped in a creamy, nutmeg-spiked sauce made with white cheddar and whipping cream. Topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, it is baked until bubbling and golden for a perfect family meal. It serves eight people and takes about 70 minutes to prepare and cook.

Cheesy Broccoli Spinach and Mushrooms With Shells

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces small shell pasta (measure 8 ounces before cooking) or 8 ounces macaroni, cooked (measure 8 ounces before cooking)
  • 1 -2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 lb fresh broccoli florets (cooked to firm-tender and drained well)
  • 0.5 (10 ounce) frozen spinach (well drained)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (optional)
  • 2 (8 ounce) packages fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups full-fat milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup whipping cream (unwhipped)
  • black pepper
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • grated parmesan cheese

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter.
  3. Combine the cooked pasta shells, broccoli and spinach in a large bowl with 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, then set it aside.
  4. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan, then add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring in the minced garlic for the final 2-3 minutes if you are using it.
  5. Mix in the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5-6 minutes until they have softened and released their liquid.
  6. Stir the flour into the pan and cook for 1 minute.
  7. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly, and cook for about 8 minutes until the mixture thickens.
  8. Add the shredded white cheddar, whipping cream and a pinch of nutmeg, stirring over a low heat until the cheese melts, then season with black pepper and salt to your taste.
  9. Pour this sauce over the pasta and vegetables in the bowl, toss everything to coat evenly, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  10. Sprinkle the top with as much grated Parmesan cheese as you like.
  11. Bake for about 40-45 minutes until the dish is hot and bubbling.

Nutrition (per serving)

Sodium254600 mg

Recipe details

CategoryPasta Shells
AuthorKittencalrecipezazz