Recipe: Creamy Baked Spinach and Mushroom Pasta with Cheese Factory’s Processed Cheese

This creamy, cheesy pasta is baked to perfection with a smooth layer of processed cheese, adding rich flavor and a velvety texture that’s hard to resist. Perfect for a cozy dinner!

Ingredients

• Pasta (Penne or Fusilli): 2 cups, cooked al dente
• Cheese Factory Processed Cheese: 1 cup, grated
• Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
• Butter: 1 tbsp
• Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Mushrooms: 1 cup, sliced
• Spinach: 2 cups, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained)
• Heavy Cream or Milk: 1 cup
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 tbsp
• Salt and Pepper: To taste
• Nutmeg: 1/4 tsp, optional
• Fresh Parsley or Basil: For garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
4. Add the mushrooms, cooking until they’re golden brown and soft.
5. Add the spinach, stirring for a few minutes until wilted if fresh. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (if using).

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables, stirring well for 1 minute.
2. Slowly add the cream (or milk), stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 3: Combine Pasta and Sauce

1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the creamy spinach and mushroom mixture, mixing well to coat.

Step 4: Layer with Processed Cheese

1. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish.
2. Sprinkle Cheese Factory’s grated processed cheese evenly over the top.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden on top.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and serve hot!

Tips:

• For added flavor, mix in a pinch of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes.
• Serve with a side of garlic bread for a complete meal!

Bring creamy richness and bold flavors to your cooking with Cheese Factory’s processed cheese, which is available to make every recipe healthful and delicious.