If you’re looking for a meal that combines the comfort of Italian cuisine with a touch of elegance, look no further than the Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake. This delightful dish is bursting with creamy ricotta, vibrant spinach, and rich, cheesy goodness, all wrapped up in perfectly cooked pasta and a zesty homemade tomato sauce. It’s an irresistible combination that’s sure to win over everyone at the dinner table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Assembly: This Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake is a breeze to put together, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Cheesy Comfort: With a topping of melted mozzarella, this dish offers a heartwarming blend of flavors and textures.
- Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with spinach and ricotta, it’s both delicious and nutritious, appealing to all ages.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake lies in its simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each component adds its own unique touch, from the creaminess of the ricotta to the savory depth of the cheese blend. Here’s what you’ll need to create this scrumptious dish:
- Ziti pasta: Perfect for holding the rich sauce and creamy filling, but feel free to use any short pasta you prefer!
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives a gooey, cheesy top layer that’s impossible to resist.
- Ricotta cheese: The key to our creamy texture—opt for full-fat for best results.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp and salty flavor to balance the creaminess.
- Spinach: A healthy dose of greens that offers color and nutrition with every bite.
- Tomato passata: Creates a savory, homemade sauce that ties everything together.
- Garlic and herbs: Enhances the flavor depth, making the sauce irresistibly aromatic.
Variations
Don’t be shy to make this Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake your own! It’s wonderfully adaptable, so feel free to tweak the recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Vegetarian Delight: Replace the pasta sauce with a basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous twist.
- Meat Lovers: Add some cooked sausage or shredded chicken for extra protein and a hearty touch.
- Spicy Kick: Increase the chili flakes for a bit more heat to spice up your meal.
How to Make Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake
Step 1: Craft the Sauce
Start by grabbing a bottle of tomato passata. Pour out a small portion to make room, then add minced garlic, herbs, and seasoning into the bottle. Shake vigorously to combine, creating a robust base that will soak into the pasta.
Step 2: Boil and Mix
Cook the ziti until just before al dente, then mix it with the ricotta, parmesan, more mozzarella, and flavorful spinach. Use a splash of the pasta’s cooking water to get that ideal creamy consistency.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Layer your pasta mix into a baking dish, smother it with the pasta sauce, and top generously with mozzarella. Bake in a preheated oven, first covered and then uncovered, until you see a golden crust of bubbly cheese.
Pro Tips for Making Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake
- Pasta Perfection: Slightly undercook the pasta to ensure it remains al dente after baking.
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with cheese varieties—try Asiago or Fontina for a richer flavor profile.
- Optimized Oven: Keep a close eye during the final 10 minutes of baking to achieve that perfect golden-brown cheese top.
- Herb Happiness: Fresh basil or parsley added post-baking can elevate the brightness of the dish.
How to Serve Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake
Garnishes
Top your pasta bake with a sprinkle of grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves to add a dash of elegance and a burst of fresh flavor that complements the baked goodness.
Side Dishes
This pasta bake pairs beautifully with a crisp Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and a lemon vinaigrette, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the pasta bake in individual ramekins for a personal touch, or for a family-style dinner, present it in a rustic, oven-to-table dish that maintains its heat and aroma.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, ensuring you have something delicious to look forward to.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze individual portions of the pasta bake well-wrapped in foil. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, place the pasta bake in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm through, ensuring the cheese re-melts perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Simply blanch fresh spinach in boiling water for a minute, then chop and squeeze out any excess liquid before mixing it in.
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Is there a gluten-free option?
Yes, you can substitute regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure it’s al dente.
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What can I use as a ricotta substitute?
For a ricotta alternative, you could use cottage cheese or even a vegan ricotta if you’re opting for a dairy-free version.
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How do I make the dish more kid-friendly?
Kids love cheese, so you might want to top it with extra mozzarella. You could also purée the spinach into the ricotta mixture for a smoother texture that might be more appealing to picky eaters.
Final Thoughts
This Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake is not only a feast for the senses but also a testament to how simple ingredients can create the most comforting meals. Gather your loved ones and savor the symphony of flavors this bake offers. Enjoy creating and tasting this delightful dish!
Print
Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Baked Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake is a comforting and cheesy baked pasta dish featuring a rich ricotta and spinach mixture combined with flavorful homemade pasta sauce. Perfectly crispy on top and tender inside, it’s an easy-to-make vegetarian meal ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Uncooked Pasta
- 300g / 10 oz ziti pasta, uncooked, or other short pasta of choice
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (or more! For topping)
Ricotta Mixture
- 1 lb / 500 g ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 350g / 12 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess liquid pressed out
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3/4 tsp salt & pepper
Shortcut Pasta Sauce
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 700g / 24 oz tomato passata
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried Italian Mixed Herbs
- 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp water (if needed)
To Serve
- Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F / 180°C.
- Prepare Pasta Sauce: Pour out about 1/4 cup of passata into a bowl. Add the remaining sauce ingredients into the bottle, screw the lid on, and shake well to combine.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta for one minute less than the package instructions specify (to ensure it remains al dente). Then, scoop out about 1 mugful of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
- Make Ricotta Mixture: In a very large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, crushed garlic, thawed spinach, shredded mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water if needed to make the mixture creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Ricotta: Add the cooked pasta to the ricotta mixture and stir until well coated. Transfer this mixture to a heatproof baking dish.
- Assemble Bake: Pour the prepared Pasta Sauce evenly over the pasta and ricotta mixture. Sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top. Loosely cover with foil.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Use short pasta like ziti for best results; you can also try penne or rigatoni.
- Ensure spinach is thoroughly pressed to remove excess moisture to prevent a watery dish.
- Adjust chili flakes to your spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked later for convenience.
- For extra crispy top, broil the bake for 1-2 minutes at the end, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the dish
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
