Creamy Spinach and Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe

Easy wins with this cheesy spinach pasta! Quick dishes like this spinach pasta bake are perfect for when you’re tired and hungry. This flavorful spinach pasta recipe speeds up dinner, simplifies cooking, and makes mealtime more satisfying for the whole family.

Baked pasta with spinach

If you’re searching for a simple, delicious spinach pasta casserole, this is it. This spinach pasta bake comes together quickly and delivers a filling, nutritious meal that’s easy to make any night of the week. It’s perfect when you need a fuss-free dinner that still feels special.

More pasta recipes you will love:

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Chicken Alfredo pasta
Orecchiette Bolognese
Farfalle pasta with ground beef
Tomato chickpea pasta
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This recipe uses just a few basic ingredients and is ideal for nights when you haven’t planned ahead or want something quick and comforting. It’s adaptable, too: swap spinach for another vegetable, use whatever short pasta you have on hand, and choose your favorite cheeses.

The bake is fresh and light compared with richer, cream-based casseroles, but you can easily add a splash of cream if you prefer a creamier texture. We used mozzarella, fresh goat cheese, and provolone in this version, but feel free to substitute with ricotta, cheddar, or your preferred cheeses.

Spinach pasta bake

Fresh spinach works beautifully here, but frozen spinach is also a convenient option—just thaw and squeeze out excess liquid. To keep the dish lighter we skipped heavy cream, but a little added cream will make it richer. Serve the casserole with a crisp green salad for a balanced, satisfying dinner.

For households with meat lovers, this bake pairs well with a simple chicken ragu or roasted chicken on the side so everyone is happy at the table.

Cheese spinach pasta bake

Author:
Petro Neagu

Ingredients

1 package fusilli pasta (or other short pasta)
4 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves mashed
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 cup fresh goat cheese
1 cup provolone cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
While the pasta cooks, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan and add the washed spinach.
Boil the spinach for about 5 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
Puree the drained spinach with a hand blender or food processor until smooth.
Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet, add the spinach puree and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the mashed garlic and cook for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine half of the cooked pasta with the spinach mixture and half of the mozzarella. Spread this mixture in the bottom of a baking dish.
Season the layer with a little salt and pepper, then add the remaining pasta on top.
Top with crumbled goat cheese, provolone, and the remaining mozzarella. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

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