Penne Bake

This is a great meatless Monday recipe. Trip keeps wanting me to add sausage to this...I keep putting him off. I've never used smoked paprika before, and it really does make this dish. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• pinch crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 (26 oz) can diced tomatoes (or crushed, whatever you prefer)
• 1/2 pound penne pasta, cooked
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• pinch of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400.

In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high. Once the butter starts bubbling, add the onions. Saute until they start to soften, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, crushed red pepper and paprika. Saute another minute. Stir in the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 to 10 minutes.

Add in the cooked pasta and spinach. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Pour mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Original Recipe: Bev Cooks