Il Cucinologo
EN

Baked Pasta with Spinach

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a classic recipe for an Italian-style baked pasta with spinach. Here are the ingredients and preparation steps.

Ingredients

  • 250 gr short pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 400 gr fresh or frozen spinach
  • 250 gr ricotta
  • 100 gr grated parmesan
  • 2 eggs
  • Nutmeg to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter for the baking dish
  • Breadcrumbs for the baking dish
  • 200 gr béchamel (optional)

Preparation

  1. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, wash the spinach and cook it in a pot with a little water for a few minutes, until softened. If using frozen spinach, follow the package instructions for cooking.
  3. Drain the spinach and squeeze out excess water, then roughly chop.
  4. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with grated parmesan, eggs, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add the chopped spinach to the ricotta mixture and stir well.
  6. If using béchamel, prepare the sauce following your favorite recipe or heat it if already made.
  7. Grease a baking dish with butter and sprinkle with a little breadcrumbs.
  8. Place a layer of pasta in the bottom of the baking dish, then cover with some of the spinach and ricotta mixture. If using béchamel, pour some over the top.
  9. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of béchamel and a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan.
  10. Bake at 180 °C for about 30 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.
  11. Let it cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

This recipe can be easily customized to your tastes or dietary needs. You can add other cheeses to enhance the flavor or substitute ricotta with creamy tofu for a vegan version.

Baked pasta with spinach is a dish that offers a variety of textures and flavors thanks to the combination of al dente pasta, savory spinach, the creaminess of ricotta, and the final touch of a crispy parmesan crust. In Italy, this type of dish is known for its versatility and comfort food appeal, often served as a first course or as a main dish for a hearty meal.