Baked Spinach Rigatoni Recipe

Lisa Grant | Jersey Girl Cooks

Baked Spinach Rigatoni - this cheesy pasta is perfect for a meatless dinner. Once this is served, your family will request it again and again.

It is no secret that I love to make pasta for dinner. I always have and always will.

Rigatoni pasta is especially a favorite. Growing up, my family always served pasta with either a meat sauce or some type of meat.

Baked Spinach Rigatoni Photo

Now when I cook for my vegetarian daughter, I have my “go to” pasta dishes. This Baked Spinach Rigatoni is one of them.

Even though this is a vegetarian dish, there is no shame in serving it to everyone. It’s a hearty dish and I never miss the meat.

But if I am having a crowd over for dinner, I might also make some spaghetti and meatballs for the carnivores. Add a big arugula salad and some garlic butter breadsticks.

Baked Spinach Rigatoni Picture

It’s now one heck of a great Italian meal. I usually request that my guests bring a dessert and then it’s time for a party.

This dinner is a perfect casserole to bring to a potluck dinner or party. It can be made in advance then baked right before it is needed.

Baked Spinach Rigatoni Image

It transports well and can be made in a disposable foil pan, so you don’t have to worry about bringing home a dirty pan or leaving the dish behind at a friend’s house.

I always keep canned crushed tomatoes and boxes of rigatoni in my house. I prefer fresh tomatoes from my garden (who doesn’t?) but canned are the next best thing if they are not in season.

Baked Spinach Rigatoni Pic

This recipe makes a great big batch of pasta. There is plenty for a family of six to each have a hearty serving.

If you are a smaller family, the leftovers are great reheated in the microwave the next day. I prefer these leftovers for lunch rather than a deli sandwich any day! 

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Baked Spinach Rigatoni Recipe

    6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 16 ounce box Dried Rigatoni Pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic, chopped
  • 1 16 ounce bag Frozen Chopped Spinach
  • 1 28 ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
  • 14 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Italian Herbs
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook rigatoni a la dente according to box instructions. Drain when cooked.
  2. In a large sauce pan, heat oil to medium high and sauté garlic for a few minutes until it starts to get translucent.
  3. Add the spinach, crushed tomatoes, sauce and Italian seasoning. Bring mixture to a simmer, cover and reduce heat to low.
  4. Cook for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. When pasta is drained, add to the sauce pot and remove from heat. Gently mix in the parmesan and ricotta cheese. 
  6. Pour the pasta mixture into a large casserole pan and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. Loosely cover with aluminum foil. Bake for about 30 minutes or until pasta is bubbling. Remove foil and cook for 5 more minutes or until cheese melts and starts to turn golden. 

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Published:
Author:
Cooking Method:
Baked
Cuisine:
Italian
Category:
Meatless Monday
Tags:
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Related Recipes:
Easy Dinner Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Meatless Monday Recipes, Italian Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Spinach Recipes, Cheese Recipes, Baked Recipes
Recipe Yields:
6 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Lisa Grant
Recipe Yields: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 139
Calories 680

% Daily Value*
27%
Total Fat 17g
22%
  Saturated Fat 4g
46%
Sodium 1109mg
27%
Total Carbohydrate 81g
3%
  Dietary Fiber 3g
  Sugars 5g
62%
Protein 31g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Lisa Grant

About Lisa

Like all moms, Lisa needs quick and easy dinners during the week for her busy family. As our Easy Dinners Fanatic, she creates meals that you can make between soccer and band practice that are full of flavor and good for you too. You can see more from Lisa on Jersey Girl Cooks.

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