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Smoked salmon, leek and spinach pasta bake

Cook this freezer-friendly meal in advance for a stress-free family dinner. This pasta bake can be frozen for up to 3 months!

  • Hands-on time: 20 mins
  • Time to make: 40 mins, plus 10-12 mins reheating
  • Serving: 4 people
Ratings: 3.9
Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 250g penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-fat spread
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • spray oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 large leeks, trimmed, halved lengthways, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons dill, finely chopped
  • 200g portion hot smoked salmon, skin removed, flesh roughly flaked
  • cracked black pepper
  • Always check food labels for allergens or trace warnings before buying your ingredients.
    Ingredients

    Instructions

    (Stops screen from sleeping)

    1 Cook penne in a large saucepan according to packet instructions; drain and return to pan. Cover pan to keep pasta warm and set aside.

    2 Meanwhile, heat spread in a small saucepan set over low heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, or until mixture starts to bubble. Whisk milk gradually into mixture until smooth; simmer for 4-5 minutes, until sauce thickens. Stir half the grated parmesan into sauce and remove pan from heat.

    3 Preheat oven to 180°C. Spray an 8-cup baking dish with oil spray. Spray a large non-stick frying pan and set over medium heat. Add garlic and sliced leeks to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until tender. Stir baby spinach into mixture and toss until leaves wilt.

    4 Stir cheese sauce, leek mixture, tomatoes and dill into reserved pasta; add flaked salmon, toss and season with cracked black pepper. Spoon pasta mixture into prepared baking dish, scatter with remaining parmesan and transfer to oven; bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden. Leave pasta bake to cool slightly, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze (for up to 3 months).

    Variations

    Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free pasta and flour.

    HFG tip

    To reheat: Transfer pasta bake to fridge and leave to thaw for a day (or overnight). Place thawed bake in a shallow microwave-safe dish, cover and microwave on 50% power for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta bake is hot.

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