Who says you can’t have a tasty and nutritious meal on a budget and in a short time? This pumpkin and spinach pasta bake is the perfect example. It is packed full of flavour and will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, it is super easy to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a bit of time, and you will have a delicious meal in no time.

Ingredients:

250g frozen spinach drained, thawed (can substitute for fresh spinach)
1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
30g soft butter
250g pumpkin chopped and peeled
3 garlic cloves crushed
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
240g ricotta
2 eggs
2/3 cup of milk
250g pasta cooked and drained
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 3cm rectangular oven-proof dish with non-stick spray.

2. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the base of the dish.

3. Melt margarine in a frypan over medium heat. Add garlic and pumpkin. Cook, stirring, for 4-5 minutes.

4. Add the spinach and stir for another 3 minutes or until the pumpkin is just tender. Then add nutmeg.

5. In a bowl, mix the ricotta, eggs and milk.

6. Stir in the pasta and the pumpkin mixture—season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.

7. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish—Bake for 30 minutes or until set and lightly brown.

To make this dish extra special, you could try adding some grated cheese to the top or some chopped fresh herbs.

This dish is a great example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a delicious and nourishing meal. It is perfect for those nights when you want a hearty meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So why not give it a try? You might just be surprised at how much you enjoy it.