Italian Spinach Pasta Bake
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Italian Spinach Pasta Bake, an irresistible dish that combines tender penne pasta, vibrant fresh spinach, and a luscious trio of cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Perfectly coated in rich marinara sauce and seasoned with fragrant Italian herbs, this recipe is baked to bubbly, golden perfection for a true crowd-pleaser. Ready in under an hour, this hearty vegetarian casserole is ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or meal prep. Serve it alongside garlic bread or a crisp side salad for a complete, satisfying meal bursting with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed spinach, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2254 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 121.2 g | 155% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.9 g | 304% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 328 mg | 109% | |
| Sodium | 4523 mg | 197% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 151.0 g | 55% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.9 g | 57% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.5 g | ||
| Protein | 129.5 g | 259% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2805 mg | 216% | |
| Iron | 10.0 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 445 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
