Description

An easy and healthy weeknight dish with lots of veggies, this Mushroom Spinach Pasta Bake with Black Garlic has it all: Quick preparation time, vibrant greens, umami-rich fried mushrooms, supported by the balsamic notes of black garlic. The wholewheat pasta is smothered in a tomato sauce while feta and mozzarella make it the perfect comfort food, adding satisfying cheese layers.

Ingredients

Units Scale

2.5 cups wholewheat pasta. (I used penne here. You can use whatever you have in your pantry.)
2 cups Marinara sauce (Cherry tomato Marinara sauce is what I used here, as it’s particularly fruity. Use whichever you enjoy.)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
6 cloves black garlic (optional)
1 onion (chopped)
1 lb fresh mushrooms (I used brown. Use whatever you have on hand.)
1/2 lb spinach (Fresh or frozen. If using frozen, thaw it in the pan instead of just wilting, so you can mix it in easily)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/2 lb feta (About 1 block.)
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 bunch fresh basil leaves (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Grease a casserole dish with either butter or a few sprays of olive oil.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion, sautéing until they become soft and translucent. Remove from pan.
Add the fresh mushrooms to the pan and cook until they release their moisture and get golden brown and crispy around the edges. If you are using frozen spinach, add it now and cook until it is thawed, and any excess water evaporates. For fresh spinach, add and let it wilt for a minute or so.

Bake

Add the drained pasta, fried mushrooms, wilted spinach, onions, and garlic. Mix in tomato sauce, crumbled feta, black garlic, and halved cherry tomatoes to your casserole dish. Top with grated mozzarella and some fresh basil.
Bake for 20-25min and you have a steaming, cheesy comfort dish with lots of veggies ready.
Serve with some fresh basil on top.