Easy-Cheesy Spinach Casserole

Name: Easy-Cheesy Spinach Casserole
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 cups vegetable broth; 2 cups fresh spinach; 1 large garlic clove, minced; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional); 1 cup whole-wheat elbow macaroni, uncooked; 2 -3 teaspoons tapioca starch (or cornstarch); 2 tablespoons cream cheese; 4 eggs; 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs (optional)

Submitted by Geniale Genie

"It doesn't get much easier than this... no sautéing and hardly any chopping - everything is cooked in one dish before putting in the oven (I even bake it in my toaster over). A great way to use up spinach that's been in the fridge for a while. Use whole-wheat pasta for extra nutrients. You could probably sub rice for the pasta. Add a dash of hot sauce to jazz it up a bit. Measurements and cooking times are approximate."

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photo by Geniale Genie

Ready In:: 30mins
Ingredients:: 10
Serves:: 4

ingredients

2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups fresh spinach
1 large garlic clove, minced
¹⁄₄ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1 cup whole-wheat elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 -3 teaspoons tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
2 tablespoons cream cheese
4 eggs
¹⁄₂ cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon breadcrumbs (optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine broth, spinach (don't bother chopping) and garlic in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes until spinach is wilted. Cream using a stick blender.
Bring back a boil, add pasta, and simmer until pasta is al dente.
Dilute starch in an equal amount of cold water. Stir into pot along with cream cheese. Simmer until thickened; remove from heat.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs together. Stirring constantly, add several spoonfuls of the mix to the eggs (to warm them up). Stir into remaining pasta & sauce mix. Pour into an oven-safe dish (a 9-inch pie plate is the perfect size).
Mix breadcrumbs with grated cheese and sprinkle over top. Bake 10 approximately 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Turn oven to broil and cook until cheese turns golden - watch constantly.