Spinach Pesto Casserole

I am obsessed with casseroles these days as they are so easy, healthy and delicious! They are becoming a favourite staple in our household. Just throw all your ingredients into a casserole dish or any type of oven-safe dish and let it cook. They are easy to make with dietary restrictions as well - this dish is dairy, gluten and nut free.

Casserole Ingredients:

• Broccoli, chopped

• Mushrooms, chopped

• 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes

• Frozen spinach

• Frozen peas

• 1/2 a medium-large yellow or red onion, diced

• 3-4 chicken breasts, cubed

• 1 box (340g) of macaroni noodles

• ~3/4 container of organic chicken broth (enough to cover the noodles)

Sauce Ingredients:

• Spinach (~3-4 cups raw)

• 1 can full fat coconut milk

• 2-3 cloves garlic

• 1/4-1/2 cup of pesto (or to taste)

• Salt & pepper

• Garlic salt to taste

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions:

• Into the casserole dish, add in the macaroni noodles first, and then add in enough chicken broth to cover the noodles. You can start with this before prepping your other veggies to allow the noodles to soak for a bit first.

• Add in the rest of the ingredients into the dish

• For the sauce: blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Once you’re happy with the taste - you can pour this in the casserole dish.

• Give the dish a good stir, trying to keep most of the noodles on the bottom for now.

• Cook in the oven at 350F for ~60-90 minutes with the lid on or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Throughout cooking, stir the casserole a few times. If more moisture is needed, you can add more chicken broth, if there is too much moisture, cook the dish with the lid off for the last 10-15 mins.

Tips & Extras:

• You can use any choice of noodles. I use macaroni because it doesn’t expand as much which allows more room for the other ingredients in the dish!

• Organic ingredients that I prioritize in this dish include: spinach, tomatoes, peas, chicken and chicken broth, and noodles if you’re using corn, wheat or chickpea based noodles!

• If you have picky eaters at home, the sauce is a FANTASTIC way to get extra spinach in! You can add in even more than what is suggested here as the spinach hides in the sauce!

• My favourite pesto is the basil pesto from sunflower kitchen - it is dairy and nut free! Found in the refrigerated area usually around the hummus in the grocery stores.

• As you noticed, I do not add in specific amounts of some ingredients, because this is up to you how much you like of each veggie! It is completely customizable to whatever fits in your casserole dish.