Cozy Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe for Comfort Nights

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this hearty spinach and ricotta pasta bake that promises to warm your soul.

Rich, creamy ricotta cheese blends effortlessly with tender spinach, creating a luxurious sauce that coats every pasta ridge.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of fresh greens and smooth, velvety cheese.

The golden, crispy top adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, bubbling interior.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

Fresh ingredients and minimal prep time make this recipe a weeknight hero.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 393 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Make Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake Shine

• Tomato Puree: Provides rich, tangy foundation for the pasta bake with deep, vibrant flavor.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth richness and helps blend spices evenly throughout sauce.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Creates layered savory undertones and aromatic depth.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings classic Mediterranean herb blend for authentic taste profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and warm spiciness.
• Sugar: Balances acidity and enhances natural tomato sweetness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for transforming flavor complexity.

• Spinach: Introduces nutrients, vibrant green color, and earthy undertones.
• Ricotta Cheese: Delivers creamy, soft texture and mild dairy richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes sharp, nutty flavor and delightful umami notes.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides classic melting quality and stretchy, gooey texture.
• Garlic: Infuses intense, aromatic punch and depth to cheese blend.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh herbal notes and elegant visual appeal.

Tools Required for the Perfect Pasta Bake

• Large Bowl: For mixing cheese and spinach.
• Colander: To drain excess liquid from spinach.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: For assembling and baking the pasta.
• Cheese Grater: To freshly grate mozzarella.
• Sharp Knife: For chopping spinach and parsley.
• Mixing Spoon: To combine ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient quantities.

Baking Spinach and Ricotta Pasta: The Process

• Kitchen Preparation

Warm up your oven to create the perfect baking environment for a delicious pasta dish.

• Flavor Foundation

Craft a vibrant tomato sauce by blending aromatic spices into a rich puree, creating a base bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

• Creamy Spinach Blend

Transform thawed spinach into a luxurious cheese mixture, combining smooth ricotta with melty mozzarella and sharp parmesan for a decadent filling.

• Pasta Assembly

Layer your cooked pasta with the luscious spinach and cheese mixture in a welcoming baking dish, creating a canvas of comfort food.

• Cheesy Topping

Blanket the pasta with a generous pour of tomato sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella, promising a golden, bubbling masterpiece.

• Oven Magic

Slide the dish into the heated oven, letting the ingredients meld and transform into a mouth-watering culinary experience.

• Final Touch

Finish with a scattering of fresh parsley, adding a bright, herbal note to your completed pasta bake.

Flavor Upgrades for Your Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake

• Roast whole garlic cloves with olive oil before adding to the cheese mixture for a deeper, caramelized taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, pecorino, or goat cheese to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal preferences.
• Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea or zucchini noodles for a lighter, diet-friendly version without compromising on taste and texture.
• Assemble the entire pasta bake up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
• Incorporate cooked ground turkey, chicken, or crumbled Italian sausage into the cheese mixture for a heartier meal that satisfies bigger appetites and adds extra nutrition.

How to Serve Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake Right

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the hot pasta bake to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that brightens the entire dish.
• Pair with Crisp Side Salad: Serve alongside a light green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy pasta and add some refreshing crunch.
• Create a Complete Meal: Add a slice of crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and complete the Italian-inspired dinner experience.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Complement the creamy pasta with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio to enhance the meal's flavors.

Tips to Store & Reheat Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain creamy consistency.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled pasta bake in freezer-safe containers, separating portions for convenient single-serving defrosting. Freeze up to 3 months for a ready-to-go comfort meal.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare the entire dish in advance, refrigerate unbaked, and pop into the oven when ready to serve. This technique saves time and ensures a fresh, hot dinner with minimal effort.

Velvety Spinach And Ricotta Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Rich layers of spinach and ricotta pasta bake combine Mediterranean flavors with comforting home-style cooking. Quick weeknight meals become special with this creamy, cheesy Italian-inspired classic you can prepare in under an hour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) frozen spinach, thawed and chopped
• 10 oz (280 g) ziti or short pasta, cooked and drained
• 24 oz (680 g) tomato puree
• 16 oz (450 g) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned centrally for optimal heat distribution.
2. Sauce Creation: Whisk tomato puree with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper until a harmonious, smooth sauce emerges.
3. Spinach and Cheese Fusion: Thoroughly drain spinach, then blend with minced garlic, ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a rich, creamy filling.
4. Pasta Integration: Incorporate cooked pasta into the cheese-spinach mixture, using reserved pasta water to enhance the silky consistency and ensure even coating.
5. Assembly and Layering: Spread the pasta blend evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish, cascading the prepared tomato sauce over the top and generously sprinkling additional mozzarella for a golden, melted finish.
6. Baking Perfection: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden crust and the interior reaches optimal temperature.
7. Resting and Serving: Allow the pasta bake to settle for 5 minutes post-baking, then embellish with finely chopped parsley before presenting this sumptuous, flavor-packed dish.

Notes

• Drain Spinach Thoroughly: Press out every drop of liquid to prevent a soggy, watery pasta bake that could ruin the dish’s texture.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a splash of starchy pasta water to create an incredibly creamy and smooth sauce that binds ingredients perfectly.
• Cheese Layer Strategy: Grate fresh mozzarella on top for a golden, bubbling cheese crust that adds delicious texture and visual appeal.
• Resting is Crucial: Allow the pasta bake to rest for 5 minutes after baking, which helps set the dish and makes serving cleaner and more manageable.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 393
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg