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Spinach Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 50 reviews

This Spinach Ricotta Pasta Bake is a comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender pasta layered with creamy ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and a rich marinara sauce, all topped with melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it combines simple ingredients into a delicious, cheesy bake that’s easy to prepare and sure to please.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

  • 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk ricotta preferred)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded), divided
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated), divided

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 2 cups spinach (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 0.5 tsp salt (to taste)
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Spinach: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant but not browned. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, then remove the skillet from heat.
  3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated parmesan, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning if using. Stir in the cooked spinach and garlic mixture until well incorporated.
  4. Assemble the Bake: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce, then spread the ricotta and spinach mixture on top. Add the remaining pasta, then cover with the rest of the marinara sauce.
  5. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the assembled pasta bake.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set for easier slicing and better flavor melding.

Notes

  • For extra protein, consider adding cooked chicken or Italian sausage to the layers.
  • Frozen spinach should be thawed and drained well to avoid excess moisture.
  • Use whole milk ricotta for creamier texture; low-fat alternatives can be substituted to reduce calories.
  • You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; just add an extra few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
  • Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: spinach ricotta pasta bake, baked pasta casserole, vegetarian pasta bake, Italian pasta dish, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/spinach-ricotta-pasta-bake-recipe/