This delicious high protein pasta bake is made with Explore Cuisine's new Organic Mung Bean Rotini – a protein-rich gluten-free pasta made from dried mung beans
Gluten-free eaters unite! Today, maintaining a gluten-free diet is stress-free thanks to the abundance of alternative pasta that is on the market. Whether they are made from brown rice, quinoa, corn, or lentils, these innovative noodles are healthy and delicious making them a great choice for pasta bakes.
Our Protein-rich and Time-saving Recipe
Our favorite new dish is a pasta bake that brings together high-protein mung bean pasta, spinach, cashew cream and a sprinkling of nutritional yeast.
This pasta bake is easy and quick to prepare. We break down the steps of the recipe so that they may be completed earlier in the day, including simple steps like defrosting the frozen spinach and soaking cashews in water. We also harness the strength of a Nutribullet, or other high-power blender, to create our delicious cashew cream.
Try taking five minutes in the morning to measure your cashews to soak in a large bowl of water and take the spinach out of the freezer to defrost. (We suggest that you leave the spinach in another large bowl; as it defrosts, it’s dark green juice somehow finds its way all over the kitchen!) If you have an additional 10 minutes, you can cook the mung bean rotini, drain, then mix with a scant amount of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Later in the day, once soaking is complete, combine the cashews with the soaking water and nutritional yeast in the blender until you reach a creamy consistency. Mix in a large baking dish with the defrosted spinach, then fold in the rotini. Spoon the cashew cream on top and bake.
We like to serve with a simple green salad, or something more sophisticated like our Gem Heart Fig Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing or Kohlrabi Apple Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette. We’re not sure what you’ll enjoy more – the spinach pasta bake, or all the time you saved in its preparation!
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PrintHigh Protein Spinach Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This delicious high protein pasta bake is made with Explore Cuisine's new Organic Mung Bean Rotini – a protein-rich gluten-free pasta made from dried mung beans
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup raw cashews
1 ¼ cup boiling water
8oz Explore Cuisine Mung Bean Rotini
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
½ to ¾ tsp salt, to taste
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup unsweetened non dairy milk
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper (optional)
½ to ¾ cup vegan shredded cheese (or dairy, if you are not vegan)
Instructions
Soak the cashews in the boiling water for about 20 minutes
In the meantime, prepare the pasta following the directions on the package. Rinse and drain well, transfer it to a large bowl and set aside
When the cashews are ready, transfer them, with the soaking water, to a high power blender or Nutribullet. Add the nutritional yeast and ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt (to taste) and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add the spinach and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the non dairy milk and cashew cream, ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper and continue cooking cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly
Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a 9x11 inch baking dish with cooking spray
Add the spinach mixture to the pasta and mix well. Transfer it to the baking dish, sprinkle the cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (includes soaking time)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Method: Baked
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 537
- Fat: 17.8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32.2
- Fiber: 8.3
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 0
Esperanza says
I really love this recipe. I did it already the high protein spinach pasta bake. And is delicious and easy to make.
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you so much! We are so happy you liked it! Would you rate it for us?
Raquel says
I am not a huge spinach fan but this was surprisingly delicious! Thank you for sharing 🙂
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed our pasta bake!
Vera says
Thank you so much! Always best recipe 🙂
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you!
kim says
Pardon me, I made a few alterations and additions, but this casserole is soooo very awesome!!!! Thank you, Ladies!
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you!! We love when people put their own spin on our recipes. Please feel free to share anytime! 🙂