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Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach

Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach

Camila Benitez
This Easy Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach recipe combines elbow noodles with spinach and a creamy garlic cheese mixture and topped with irresistible buttery breadcrumbs for a simple baked pasta dish that the whole family will love!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 12 Pieces

Tools

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound elbow noodles , or any pasta of your choice
  • 1 (12-oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat)
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 2 cups low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the topping:

  • 2 cups plain Panko Style Bread Crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted or extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 °F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Lightly oil a 13 x 9 inches baking dish.
  • Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain, then place the cooked pasta back in the pan and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, cream cheese, half-and-half, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the spinach mixture to the pasta and stir to combine.
  • For the topping: In a small bowl, stir to combine the panko bread crumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are moistened. Carefully pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs on top.
  • Bake until the pasta is bubbling and the top is golden in spots, about 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve. Enjoy!

Notes

How to Store & Re-Heat
  • To store: The baked pasta, allow it to cool to room temperature before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store the pasta in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it properly covered to prevent it from drying out or absorbing unwanted flavors from the refrigerator.
  • To store: You can microwave them by placing a serving on a microwave-safe plate and heating on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, to maintain the dish's texture, you can reheat it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the pasta with aluminum foil to prevent further browning, and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until it's heated to your desired temperature. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook. Remember that reheating in the oven might take longer but can help retain the original texture and flavors better than in the microwave.
Make-Ahead
This Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach recipe can be prepared in advance to save you time on the day of serving. You can assemble the pasta dish ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Then, when you're ready to bake the pasta, remove the plastic wrap, add the breadcrumb topping, and bake it in the oven as directed.
How to Freeze
This Easy Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach recipe is also freezer-friendly, making it a great option for meal prep or when you want to have a batch of pasta on hand for a quick and easy dinner. To freeze the pasta, assemble the dish as directed, but do not bake it. Instead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn, and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to bake the pasta, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Then, remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil, add the breadcrumb topping, and bake it in the oven as directed. This freezer option is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to have a delicious pasta dish on hand with minimal effort.
Nutrition Facts
Baked Pasta with Creamed Spinach
Amount per Serving
Calories
451
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
24
g
37
%
Saturated Fat
 
13
g
81
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Cholesterol
 
66
mg
22
%
Sodium
 
521
mg
23
%
Potassium
 
278
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
42
g
14
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
 
704
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
315
mg
32
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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