Triple Cheese Spinach Penne Bake

🥘 Ingredients

• butter
  2 tbsp
• chili flakes
  ½ tsp
• crushed tomatoes
  14.5 oz
• garlic herb butter
  1 tbsp
• garlic powder
  ½ tsp
• italian cheese blend
  1 c
• italian seasoning
  1 tsp
• mozzarella cheese
  1 c
• panko breadcrumbs
  ½ cup
• parmesan cheese
  ¼ cup
• penne pasta
  1 lb
• reserved pasta water
  1 c
• spinach
  4 oz
• veggie stock concentrate
  1 tbsp

🍳 Cookware

• large pot
• 8x8 inch baking dish
• pot
• aluminum foil
• medium pan
• small bowl

1. 

   1

   Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven ⏱️ 425 F . Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Roughly chop spinach .

   spinach: 4 oz
2. 

   2

   Once water is boiling, add penne pasta to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente ⏱️ 8 minutes . Stir spinach into pot and continue to cook until spinach is wilted and pasta is al dente ⏱️ 2 minutes more. Reserve reserved pasta water , then drain. While pasta cooks, coat an 8x8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

   penne pasta: 1 lb, reserved pasta water: 1 c
3. 

   3

   Heat pot over medium-high heat. Add crushed tomatoes , veggie stock concentrate , italian seasoning , garlic powder , ¼%cup reserved pasta water, and butter . Cook, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and everything is thoroughly combined ⏱️ 2 minutes . Remove from heat and add drained penne, spinach, mozzarella cheese , and italian cheese blend ; stir until everything is coated in sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

   crushed tomatoes: 14.5 oz, veggie stock concentrate: 1 tbsp, italian seasoning: 1 tsp, garlic powder: ½ tsp, butter: 2 tbsp, mozzarella cheese: 1 c, italian cheese blend: 1 c
4. 

   4

   Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish. Coat a large piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray; cover baking dish with foil, coated side down. Bake on top rack until sauce is bubbling ⏱️ 15 minutes . Careful when lifting the foil to check on the penne bake—steam may escape!
5. 

   5

   Meanwhile, melt garlic herb butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown ⏱️ 4 minutes . Transfer garlic herb panko to a small bowl and set aside until ready to serve.

   garlic herb butter: 1 tbsp, panko breadcrumbs: ½ cup
6. 

   6

   When penne bake is done baking, let cool ⏱️ 5 minutes . Top with garlic herb panko, parmesan cheese , and as many chili flakes as you like. Divide between plates or serve family style directly from baking dish.

   parmesan cheese: ¼ cup, chili flakes: ½ tsp