Creamy mushroom and spinach pasta bake

An easy creamy spinach and pasta bake is perfect for a midweek dinner or family meal at the weekend. We love using Swiss brown mushrooms, but you can use any variety you like.

Recipe «Creamy mushroom and spinach pasta bake» presented in category Recipes / Soups, to prepare this dish you will need no more 35 minutes. To make this dish at home by prescription from the author sheff would need: 50g unsalted butter, 1/2 cup plain flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, 1/4 tsp onion powder , 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt , 200g dried rigatoni, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, crushed, 1/2 brown onion, chopped, 250g swiss brown mushrooms, sliced, 1 small bunch English spinach, chopped, 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat milk, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve.

Ingredients:

• 50g unsalted butter 
• 1/2 cup plain flour 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 
• 1/4 tsp onion powder 
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 200g dried rigatoni 
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed 
• 1/2 brown onion, chopped 
• 250g swiss brown mushrooms, sliced 
• 1 small bunch English spinach, chopped 
• 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat milk 
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve 
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar 

Instructions

1. To make Condensed cream of chicken soup: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour. Stir to create a paste. Cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk until mixture forms a smooth and thick paste.
2. Gradually whisk in stock, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and salt until mixture is smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool.
3. Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced. Cook pasta following packet directions. Drain well.
4. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, deep 22cm round (base) ovenproof frying pan over high heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add mushroom. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until mushroom has softened slightly. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach.
5. Add the pasta to the mushroom mixture. Toss to combine. Add cream of chicken soup, milk and thyme. Toss to combine. Using the back of a spoon, level the top of the mixture in pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is bubbling and top is golden. Stand for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with extra thyme.