Lighter lemony pasta and spinach bake

Put together healthy veg with a yummy mustard and cheese sauce and you’ve got a great pasta bake.

Ingredients

• 300g/10½oz dried macaroni
• 200g/7oz broccoli, cut into small florets
• 100g/3½oz baby spinach, any thicker stems removed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 spring onions, outer leaves removed, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml/10fl oz skimmed milk
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
• 1 unwaxed lemon, finely grated zest only
• 100g/3½oz Parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), finely grated
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• mixed salad leaves dressed with a squeeze of lemon juice and 1 tsp olive oil, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6

2. Cook the macaroni in boiling water for 6 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook for another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the spinach and leave to stand with the lid on for 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside

3. Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Fry the spring onions for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for another 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring all the time, for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk, add the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper. Continue simmering for 2-3 minutes, until thickened. Remove the bay leaves.

4. Stir in the mustard, lemon zest and three quarters of the Parmesan, then season well.

5. Tip the pasta and broccoli into a shallow baking dish. Pour over the sauce and mix well. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes.

6. Serve with the dressed salad leaves.

Lighter lemony pasta and spinach bake