Quick & Cozy Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe for Families

Spinach and ricotta pasta bake delivers a comforting symphony of flavors that converts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Creamy cheese melts into tender pasta, creating a luxurious texture that embraces fresh leafy greens.

Italian-inspired comfort food rarely feels this satisfying and wholesome.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through in this hearty dish that balances nutrition with incredible taste.

Home cooks adore recipes that feel simultaneously elegant and approachable, making this pasta bake a perfect weeknight solution.

Layers of robust ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a dining experience that delights the senses and warms the soul.

Tips for Creamier, Cheesier Pasta Bake

• Drain Spinach Thoroughly: Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from thawed spinach to prevent a watery pasta bake and ensure a rich, creamy texture.
• Cheese Blend Balance: Mix ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella evenly to create a smooth, flavorful cheese mixture that coats every pasta bite.
• Pasta Water Magic: Add cooking water gradually to the cheese mixture, helping it become silky and helping the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta.
• Seasoning Layers: Season each component separately – tomato sauce, cheese mixture, and pasta – to build depth of flavor throughout the dish.
• Cheese Topping Trick: Grate fresh mozzarella just before sprinkling on top for maximum melting and a golden, bubbling surface that looks irresistibly delicious.

Storage Tips for Leftover Pasta Bake

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Freeze: Wrap the cooled pasta bake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture. Alternatively, microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

Side Picks for Pasta Bake Meals

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, creamy pasta bake with a refreshing Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. These light wines cut through the cheese's richness and balance the tomato sauce's acidity, creating a harmonious dining experience.
• Add a Fresh Side Salad: Toss together a simple mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette. The bright, tangy dressing will contrast the warm, cheesy pasta and provide a light, fresh counterpoint to the hearty main dish.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and cheese. The crispy, buttery bread adds texture and helps mop up every last bit of the flavorful pasta bake.
• Finish with Chilled Limoncello: End the meal with a small glass of chilled limoncello. This sweet Italian lemon liqueur offers a refreshing, palate-cleansing finish that complements the rich, savory flavors of the pasta dish.

Unique Pasta Bake Spins to Try

• Protein Power Boost: Replace spinach with ground chicken or turkey, adding extra protein and a heartier texture to the pasta bake.
• Mediterranean Magic: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Veggie Celebration: Mix in roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to increase vegetable content and create a more colorful dish.
• Spicy Sausage Sensation: Swap half the pasta with spicy Italian sausage, adding depth and a kick of heat to the original recipe.

Why This Pasta Bake Is a Comfort Classic

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This pasta bake delivers a luxurious, velvety texture that hugs your taste buds with rich ricotta and melted mozzarella, creating a supremely satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: With straightforward ingredients and easy preparation steps, this recipe transforms complex flavors into a quick, manageable dish that goes from kitchen to table in under an hour, perfect for busy families.
• Vegetable-Packed Nutrition Boost: Packed with nutrient-dense spinach and a blend of cheeses, this recipe cleverly sneaks healthy greens into a delicious meal that even veggie-skeptical eaters will love, making nutrition delightfully tasty.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: The flexible recipe allows home cooks to adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes or swap cheeses, ensuring each version feels personalized and exciting while maintaining the core comforting essence.

Spinach & Ricotta Bake Ingredients List

• Pasta: Classic shape that holds sauce well, preferably penne or rigatoni for better cheese and sauce coating.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps prevent sticking during mixing and baking.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base for the cheese mixture, providing smooth texture and mild flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth to the cheese mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating stretch and golden brown top when baked.

• Spinach: Nutrient-rich green vegetable that adds color and earthy flavor to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic and robust flavor to both cheese mixture and sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic flavor for consistent seasoning.
• Onion Powder: Adds subtle sweet and savory undertones to the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that brings traditional Mediterranean taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces mild heat and slight kick to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomato puree.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity to seasoning.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright garnish and aromatic finish.

• Tomato Puree: Smooth base for creating rich, classic pasta sauce.

Assembling a Pasta Bake Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F, getting ready for a delicious baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Tomato Sauce

• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir these into the tomato puree until well blended.

Step 3: Craft the Cheese and Spinach Mixture

• Minced garlic
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Mix everything together, seasoning with salt and pepper. Slowly add some pasta cooking water to create a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Cheese Mixture

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the spinach and cheese mixture, ensuring every pasta piece gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 5: Assemble the Bake

Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Add Sauce and Cheese Topping

Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle freshly grated mozzarella on top for an extra cheesy finish.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden-brown edges.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Pull out your masterpiece and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this homemade pasta bake!

Spinach And Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake promises comfort with Italian-inspired layers of creamy ricotta and tender spinach nestled between perfectly cooked pasta. Cheesy goodness and hearty greens create a delightful meal you’ll want to savor until the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (280 grams) ziti or short pasta, cooked and drained
• 12 ounces (340 grams) frozen spinach, thawed and chopped
• 24 ounces (680 grams) tomato puree

Cheese and Dairy:

• 16 ounces (450 grams) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Fire up the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Craft a vibrant tomato sauce by whisking together olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper into the tomato puree until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Prepare the spinach mixture by thoroughly draining thawed spinach in a colander, pressing out excess moisture to prevent a watery sauce.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach with minced fresh garlic, ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper.
5. Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese and spinach blend, utilizing a splash of reserved pasta water to create a luxuriously creamy texture.
6. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent coverage.
7. Lavishly pour the prepared tomato sauce over the pasta, then crown with an additional layer of freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
8. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden, bubbling cheese topping and heated-through consistency.
9. Once removed from the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Quick and easy comfort food that combines creamy ricotta with nutritious spinach in a delightful pasta bake.
• Thoroughly drain spinach to prevent watery sauce and ensure a rich, thick texture in the final dish.
• Create a flavor-packed tomato sauce by blending aromatic spices for a depth of taste that elevates the entire meal.
• Mix cheeses carefully to distribute evenly, allowing each bite to be filled with creamy, melty goodness.
• Cooking pasta al dente before baking helps maintain the perfect texture and prevents mushy results.
• Garnish with fresh parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness of the cheese.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 385 cal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg