Creamy Spinach Cheese Pasta Bake (Printable Version)
This comforting oven-baked pasta combines tender spinach, a rich cheese sauce, and golden melted cheese for a satisfying meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Produce
02 - 7 ounces fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Dairy & Cheese
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 3.5 ounces ricotta cheese
→ Seasoning
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Pinch of ground nutmeg
→ Topping
15 - 1/2 cup additional shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest for an al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle the all-purpose flour into the skillet and cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream until fully incorporated. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
05 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, ricotta cheese, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Stir vigorously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Add the roughly chopped fresh spinach to the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until the spinach is just wilted.
07 - Combine the drained, cooked pasta with the creamy cheese and spinach sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well-coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
08 - Generously sprinkle the top of the pasta bake with the additional shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's like a warm hug in a baking dish, perfect for those nights when only comfort food will do.
- You get to sneak in a good serving of greens without anyone even noticing, thanks to that glorious cheese sauce.
02 -
- Undercooking the pasta slightly is non-negotiable; otherwise, it will turn to mush in the oven, a lesson learned after one too many soft bakes.
- Always grate your own Parmesan and mozzarella if possible; the pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce less smooth.
03 -
- For an extra layer of flavor, caramelize the onions a bit longer until deeply golden before adding garlic.
- If you're making this ahead, you can assemble the bake, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; just add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.