Description
Mouth-watering spinach & ricotta pasta bake delivers comfort and Italian-inspired flavor in one hearty dish. Rich layers of creamy ricotta, tender spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta combine for a satisfying meal you’ll eagerly savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 400 g (14 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 800 g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 250 g (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained (or 300 g fresh spinach, wilted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Salt water generously in a large pot and bring to a vigorous boil, then cook pasta 2 minutes shy of package instructions for an al dente texture.
- Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk ricotta, spinach, garlic, and parmesan in a mixing bowl until ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a rich, creamy base.
- Pasta Integration: Gently fold spinach-ricotta mixture into drained pasta, ensuring each pasta strand becomes thoroughly coated with the luxurious blend.
- Baking Arrangement: Transfer pasta mixture into a ceramic baking dish, spreading evenly and topping with mozzarella and additional parmesan to create a tantalizing cheese crust.
- Oven Transformation: Position dish in a preheated 375°F oven, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a golden, crispy exterior over 20-25 minutes.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let the dish settle for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before garnishing with fresh basil or extra parmesan.
Notes
- Perfectly Al Dente Pasta: Undercook pasta by 2 minutes to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a firm texture that absorbs sauce beautifully.
- Drain Thoroughly: Shake colander vigorously to remove excess water, preventing watery consistency in the final dish.
- Even Cheese Distribution: Fold spinach-ricotta mixture gently but thoroughly, guaranteeing every pasta strand gets coated with creamy goodness.
- Resting Magic: Allow dish to sit 5-7 minutes after baking to let flavors meld and sauce thicken, creating a more cohesive and rich taste experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg