Skinny Ham, Spinach &amp, Cheese Pasta Casserole

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Ingredients

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)

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Cool for at least 10 minutes to slightly set. Cut into 4 squares. Use a spatula to remove each serving.

Makes 4 servings (each serving, 1 slice)

Nutrition Facts
for 1 serving
262 calories
5g fat
2.5g sat fat
13mg chol
18g prot
31g carbs
4g fiber
627mg sodium
10g sugar

SmartPoints value : 8

Follow Hannah Acton:

I'm a self-taught cook, passionate about bringing timeless recipes to life with a modern twist. Raised in the heart of the countryside, I grew up surrounded by family, farms, and the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals. Drawing inspiration from the pioneers of culinary history— Kitchen is my creative sanctuary, where she blends traditional techniques with fresh, innovative flavors. With a focus on hearty, wholesome dishes and easy-to-follow recipes, My mission is to make home cooking feel like an adventure. Whether you’re roasting your first chicken or experimenting with a new dessert, I'm here to show you that cooking from scratch is always worth the effort. Join Me on a journey to rediscover the joy of cooking and savor the simple pleasures of a home-cooked meal, one recipe at a time.

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