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Baked Rigatoni with Spinach and Ricotta

Creamy Baked Rigatoni with Spinach and Ricotta Delight

This creamy baked rigatoni with spinach and ricotta is the ultimate comfort dish, perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Rigatoni Pasta
For the Filling
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil for sautéing
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 10 ounces Fresh Spinach or thawed frozen spinach
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese cottage cheese can be used
  • 1 large Egg large
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese mix half in
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups Tomato Sauce choose your favorite
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional

Equipment

  • large baking dish
  • large pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a large baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the rigatoni for about 8 minutes until just shy of al dente.
  3. In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, half of the grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Mix until smooth.
  6. Fold the cooled spinach into the ricotta mixture until well combined.
  7. Spread a layer of tomato sauce across the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  8. Mix the remaining tomato sauce with the drained rigatoni and coat evenly.
  9. Layer half of the coated rigatoni in the baking dish, followed by the ricotta-spinach mixture.
  10. Top with the remaining rigatoni, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
  11. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden.
  12. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 21gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Ensure to remove the foil during the last baking phase for a golden crust and avoid overcooking the pasta to maintain optimal texture.

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