Spinach Alfredo Pasta Bake with Sausage
 
 
Spinach Alfredo Pasta Bake with Sausage Author: Becky's Best Bites Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 35 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 4-6
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. Sweet or Spicy Italian Sausage or Chicken Sausage, sliced
  • ½ box (6-7 oz.) whole grain penne pasta
  • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic; minced or pressed
  • 3 tbsp. flour
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup 1% lowfat milk
  • 1 (10 oz.) package of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flake (more or less or none depending on preference)
  • sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese (divided)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a large, oven-safe skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausages and cook to warm through. Keep warm.
  3. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy cooking water, drain and set aside.
  4. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil and garlic to the pan. Sauté garlic for about one minute, stirring constantly. Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir to combine, cooking the flour for an additional minute.
  5. Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan and whisk until combined and no flour lumps remain. Add the milk and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a slow boil, whisking continuously until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat.
  6. Add spinach, ½ cup parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flake (if using), salt and pepper. Stir to combine and melt the parmesan.
  7. Add cooked pasta and spinach alfredo sauce to skillet with sausage. Stir to combine.
  8. Top with remaining parmesan cheese.
  9. Place in oven & bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Quickly broil the top to brown the cheese, if desired.
  10. Serve with salad, whole grain bread and additional parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Make ahead by preparing up to the point of placing in the oven, and store in the refrigerator until needed or up to overnight. Additionally you could freeze this dish, at this point, thaw and then finish preparing at a later date. Bake as directed, adding a few minutes to achieve browning of the cheese and ensuring that the dish is warmed through completely.
3.5.3226
Recipe by Becky's Best Bites at https://beckysbestbites.com/spinach-alfredo-pasta-bake-sausage/