It’s official- our schedule is back to normal. The little one is back in preschool, the hubby is out the door to work every day, and I’m getting the boys into a routine. We had an awesome summer with many ‘firsts’, but there is something reassuring about having a regular schedule. The one constant that has remained in our home is how crazy dinnertime can be. The boys are cranky, tired from playing away the day, and ready for bed. My daughter is ‘starving’ (aren’t dramatic girls fun?), and the hubby and I are just ready for them all to be in the bed. Dinnertime often gets rushed and overlooked. Anyone else have that problem? One dish that I do not make nearly often enough are casseroles. Casseroles are typically one-dish wonders- a combination of flavors and textures baked into a creamy goodness. Plus, casseroles are easy to sneak hidden veggies inside for the kids.
Ever since my Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe, I’ve been wanting to try it out as a casserole. It is every bit as delicious as I thought it would be! A Spinach and Artichoke casserole, complimented with Country Crock Original Spread, is an excellent play on a popular dip. Casseroles can be more than green beans, after all. And using Country Crock Original Spread means I’m taking advantage of a product that has 0g trans fat per serving, contains no partially hydrogenated oils, has no cholesterol, and has 30% fewer calories than butter per serving.
So, grab these ingredients, follow this easy recipe, and enjoy Spinach and Artichoke Quick Fix Casserole in a cinch!
- 8 Tablespoons Country Crock Original Spread
- 4 Tablespoons Flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans of quartered artichokes
- 1 bag spinach
- Salt And Pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 cup Italian Blend Shredded Cheese
- 1/2 cup water, if needed
- 3/4 box of whole wheat Rotini pasta, cooked and drained
- Breadcrumbs
- Additional Parmesan cheese and shredded cheese to sprinkle on top
- Preheat oven to 375. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large skillet. Once melted, add the garlic and spinach and cook for 2 minutes on medium heat. Remove the garlic and spinach from the skillet.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter to the same pot. Cook artichokes on high heat for 2 minutes. Remove the artichokes from the skillet and set them aside with the spinach.
- Melt remaining butter in skillet on low to medium heat. Stir melted butter and flour, then add milk. Stir and cook until the milk/flour combination turns into a creamy sauce. Stir in Parmesan and Italian blend cheese into the sauce until melted. Add a splash of water to skillet if the sauce thickens too quickly.
- Stir in the artichokes, spinach, and cooked pasta into the sauce until thoroughly combined. Pour all the contents into a 13×9 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with additional Italian cheese blend and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with a generous portion of breadcrumbs, making sure all the cheese is covered. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown.
What are your favorite weeknight casserole dishes?
This casserole is adapted from my Double Cheese Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe and this pasta recipe.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
This looks so super yummy!!!!
Thanks!
It looks delicious!! Casseroles were invented by moms for a reason… 😉 I can’t wait until we have a goo routine going here!!
That looks so good! I think I will be picking up the things to make this tonight.
This looks delicious I am going to have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
This looks AMAZING!!!
Carly
Oh yum! Pinning this for sure!
This looks delicious, Melanie! I love spinach and artichoke dip – I’m sure I’d love the casserole!
Oh my word, this looks amazing and I know my toddler would even love it. I’m putting this on my list of meals for the week, thank you so much! Oh yeah, and I’m pinning it for sure!
Looks delicious! Casseroles and Fall just go so well together 🙂
This recipe looks amazing, Melanie (awesome photos!)
Pinning this right now! May have to make it this weekend! Looks yummy!
This looks really delicious! I am going to have to print this out for week night meals. My daughter and I both love pasta dishes but I have never incorporated artichoke in them. Looks so good 🙂
My favorite combination Spinach and Artichoke, love the recipe, and photos are great. I like when it is written step by step. Thank you and let’s have yummy time.
This looks so good! I always love spinach and artichoke dip, but I usually will feel guilty about filling up on it instead of the ‘real’ food. Now I don’t have to!
This looks delicious, will have to try
Does this recipe take TWO bags of spinach – or was it listed twice by mistake?
Looks great and I can’t wait to try it.
Oops…good eye- just one bag of spinach unless you like extra! 🙂 Thanks!
This looks great!! I bet my husband would love it, his favorite thing is Spinach Artichoke Dip!!
That looks delicious and so easy!
OH MY GOSH!!! YUM!!! Seriously going to try this!
This looks delicous its seems like a beggining cook like me could even make it thanks
Looks great, I will to try for sure. Love your photos
This recipe looks so yummy, I want to try this! Thanks for sharing. 😉
This looks so yummy!! Pinning! 🙂 PS…do you use a farm house table to take your ingredient pics on or a photo backdrop?
Shhh…it’s a backdrop 🙂