Description
A comforting and flavorful pasta bake featuring creamy ricotta, earthy mushrooms, and fresh spinach, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz short pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups cremini and shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and sauté for a minute before adding mushrooms. Cook until softened and golden.
- Incorporate Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix the Cheese: In a bowl, combine ricotta, half of the Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add a splash of reserved pasta water for creaminess.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with sautéed mushrooms and spinach, then fold in the ricotta mixture. Add more pasta water if necessary.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with remaining Parmesan and olive oil. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it rest briefly before serving hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Notes
For added flavor, consider using different cheeses and don’t skip reserving pasta water for a creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta bake, creamy, vegetarian, mushrooms, ricotta, family dinner, comfort food
