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–+ servings

Skinny Ham, Spinach & Cheese Pasta Casserole

Skinny Ham, Spinach & Cheese Pasta Casserole

Ingredients
  

Ingredients for Pasta:

  • 1⅓ cup dried whole grain penne pasta
  • 1 (6 ounce) package fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup onions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup evaporated fat-free milk
  • 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese or fat-free ricotta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) ham, diced (you could use turkey ham)

Ingredients for Topping:

  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions.  Place spinach in a large colander and set in the sink. Pour cooked pasta over spinach in colander; drain well. Set aside.
  • Place onions on a microwave safe plate and cooked in the microwave for about 2 minutes until soft. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in nonstick pan. Add onions and cook for a few minutes.  Stir in flour, dry mustard, and pepper. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Continue to cook and stir for 1 more minute.  Stir in cottage cheese and 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan. Mix until cheese is mostly melted. Gently stir in pasta/spinach and ham.
  • Add pasta mixture to baking pan. Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until the top starts to brown.
  • Cool for at least 10 minutes to slightly set. Cut into 4 squares. Use a spatula to remove each serving.
  • This casserole freezes great.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 25gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 627mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gBlue Smart Points: 7Green Smart Points: 7Plus Points: 7