Baked Spinach and Chicken Bechamel Pasta
By: Ruth
Published: Monday, November 30, 2009 - 12:01pm

Ingredients




1 box of Pasta-I used Pennnoni
1 box of frozen spinach- I used fresh that I blanched before hand
2 cups of Roast chicken
500 ml mozzarella cheese
1 bunch fresh basil
parmasean cheese- I used pecorino but all the same

olive oil

salt to taste

6 tablespoons butter
2 shallots
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup flour
3 1/2 cups milk
salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
salt to taste

white pepper to taste

Preparation

1 Cook the Spinach, if you are using fresh. Drain and squeeze well. Cut into pieces. 2 Boil the water for the pasta, add salt and pasta. 3 First finely dice the shallot and emincé the garlic. 4 Over medium high heat melt the butter and add the shallot and garlic. 5 After a minute continue making the roux. 6 Be sure to add the milk slowly a bit at a time and always allow it to come to temperature before mixing or adding more. 7 We want a béchamel about the consistency of yogurt. 8 When the pasta is done drain it and put it back into the pot and add just enough of the bechamel to keep the pasta from sticking to it's self 9 Add the diced chicken and spinach to the pot with the pasta already combined with sauce and fold together. 10 Now your ready to assemble 11 Grate up the cheese and have the basil washed and ready to go. Don't cut it up as it will turn brown, always tear basil leaves to preserve their color. 12 In a large casserole dish spread a layer of the pasta mix. 13 Pread a thin layer of bechamel sauce. 14 Tear up basil leaves all over the sauce and lastly spread a layer of grated mozzarella cheese. 15 Season to taste. Repeat that order two more times for three layers total. 16 I always run short on mozzarella cheese so I grate Parmesan all over the top and then give a nice thin layer of olive oil on top of that. 17 I always make sure to wipe anything that may have split off the edges of the casserole dish or it will burn. 18 Place into a 375 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes or till it just looks amazing whichever comes first