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–+ servings

Spinach & Ricotta Pasta Bake

A delicious and satisfying dish featuring creamy ricotta, nutritious spinach, and cheesy goodness, perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 300 g 300g / 10 oz ziti pasta (uncooked, or other short pasta of choice)
  • 1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, or more for topping)
  • 500 g 1 lb / 500 g ricotta
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 2 cloves 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
  • 350 g 350g / 12oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and excess liquid pressed out)
  • 1 cup 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 3/4 tsp 3/4 tsp salt & pepper
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 700 g 700g / 24oz tomato passata (1 standard bottle)
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp EACH onion and garlic powder
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp dried Italian mixed herbs
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes (to taste, optional) optional
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp water (if needed) if needed
  • Parmesan cheese (grated)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
  • Pour out about 1/4 cup of the passata to make room for flavorings. Add the remaining Pasta Sauce ingredients into the bottle, screw the lid on, and give it a shake.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions MINUS 1 minute.
  • Scoop out 1 mugful of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
  • Mix all the ingredients for the Ricotta Mixture in a very large bowl. Use a splash of pasta cooking water if needed to make it creamy.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the ricotta mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a heatproof baking dish.
  • Top with the pasta sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Loosely cover with foil.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve while hot and fresh!

Notes

This dish is best served hot out of the oven. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of herbs for added flavor. Pair it with a simple salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach to prevent the bake from becoming watery. Feel free to add in some additional vegetables, like mushrooms or bell peppers, for more flavor and texture. If you like more cheese, don't hesitate to add extra mozzarella or ricotta to the mixture!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
Keyword Cheesy Pasta, Pasta Bake, Ricotta Pasta Bake, Spinach Pasta Bake, Vegetarian Pasta
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