Italian Pasta Recipes - Spaghetti and Spinach Bake (Spaghetti e Spinaci al Forno) Recipe

Ingredients              

• 25 g/1 oz/2 tbsp unsalted (sweet) butter

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 900 g/2 lb spinach

• 350 g/12 oz spaghetti

• 250 ml/1 cup Basic White Sauce

• 5 ml/1 tsp chopped fresh basil

• 75 g/3 oz/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

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Method:

1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan (skillet) and cook the onion and garlic for 5 minutes.

2. Place the washed spinach in a saucepan and cover with a lid. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove the lid and continue cooking for 5 minutes to evaporate the moisture.

4. Drain and stir into the onion and garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Spoon into a serving dish.

5. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in boiling, salted water for 10 minutes until the spaghetti is firm but tender.

6. Drain well and blend with the white sauce. Pour over the spinach.

7. Sprinkle with the basil and Parmesan cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5 for 20 minutes until brown on the top.