This baked creamed spinach pasta delivers pure comfort in every forkful! Tender pasta is coated in a rich, creamy spinach sauce. Then it’s baked until the cheesy top is bubbly and golden brown.
It's a quick, no-fuss dinner that fits perfectly into demanding weeknights. For a complete meal, just add a side of fresh green salad and crusty garlic bread.
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- This cheesy spinach pasta bake is easy to make. Toss pasta in a simple cheese sauce. Stir in baby spinach. Bake until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Use this cheesy spinach pasta as a flexible base. Add leftover veggies or cooked meats. You can turn it into brand-new pasta bakes every time
- Serve as a casual family meal or as a classy dinner when hosting guests. The bubbly cheesy topping, soft pasta, and creamy sauce is loved by all.
A sprinkle of freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley adds a pop of herby brightness and color just before serving!
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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- Pasta – I've used penne pasta, but you can use another pasta you prefer. Anything that traps the sauce and cheese is great.
- Cream cheese – Cut into pieces for easy mixing and faster melting.
- Cheese (Parmesan & mozzarella) – Parmesan brings bold, savory flavor to the sauce. Mozzarella turns melty and stretchy when mixed in. It also makes a bubbly, golden topping in the oven.
- Nutritional yeast (optional) – For a boost of nutrition and nutty flavor.
- Red Pepper flakes – Adds a lovely touch of heat. Feel free to mix in more if you prefer a spicier version.
- Kosher salt – Enhances and balances the flavors. Taste the sauce and adjust as required.
- Lemon zest – The boost of citrus helps to cut through the richness of the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Nutmeg – Adds warmth.
- Half-and-half – For rich creamy texture and flavor. Cream can be used for a more indulgent sauce, if you prefer.
- Extra virgin olive oil – To saute the aromatics.
- Shallot and garlic – Adds depth of aromatic fragrance to the dish.
- Baby spinach – Baby kale could be used instead.
- All-purpose flour – For thickening and binding the pasta mixture.
- Flat-leaf parsley – An optional fresh garnish to add just before serving.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain well. While the pasta cooks, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the cooked pasta on a baking tray to cool while preparing the sauce.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the cream cheese and Parmesan until smooth. Add the nutritional yeast, if using, and whisk again. Stir in the red pepper flakes, lemon zest, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk until everything is well combined.
- Gradually whisk in the half-and-half.
- Heat the olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Saute the minced shallot and garlic for about 1 minute until soft and fragrant.
- Gradually add the spinach and cook, tossing constantly for 3-5 minutes using tongs, until completely wilted.
- Add flour and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute until the spinach is evenly coated. Remove from heat.
- Add the cooked pasta, the cream cheese mixture, and ½ cup mozzarella to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and slightly bubbling around the edges.
- Increase the oven temperature to broil. Uncover the dish and broil on the center rack for about 5 minutes or until the top is browned. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
🥫 Storage
To store leftover baked spinach pasta, place it in an airtight container. You can also keep it in the casserole dish, wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for 3 months.
To reheat one serving, stir in a splash of water or extra sauce. Microwave it in a covered, microwave-safe dish until it’s hot throughout.
📚 Variations
- Add in extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick to this dish.
- Make this a meaty dish by adding in pre-cooked sausage, crispy bacon pieces, lean ground beef, or ground chicken.
- For an additional boost of veggies, consider including mushrooms, red onion, or other veggies to your liking.
- For added convenience, use a store-bought pasta sauce instead of making it from scratch.
- Make a creamed kale version by using baby kale instead of baby spinach.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Spreading the pasta out in a single layer prevents it from sticking together in large clumps. It also allows for quick cooling to stop further cooking.
- Only cook the pasta molto al dente (very firm and chewy) as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Make sure to cover the dish while it bakes. This prevents the pasta from drying out.
- Lumps in the sauce from the cream cheese is not a problem. It will melt once the casserole is baked.
🤔 FAQs
Can I make this baked spinach pasta ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
Can I freeze creamed spinach pasta bake?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.
What pasta works best for this recipe?
Penne is perfect, but rigatoni, ziti, or shells all work beautifully.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes! Just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding it to the dish.
How can I make this dish lighter?
Use whole-wheat pasta, reduced-fat cheeses, and substitute part of the half-and-half with milk.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Definitely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even white beans are great additions.
Why cook the pasta al dente?
It finishes cooking in the oven and absorbs the creamy sauce without becoming mushy.
📗 Related Recipes
If you want a cozy, crowd-pleasing pasta bake like this baked spinach pasta, try these tasty options too!
- Alfredo Baked Tortellini - This baked casserole layers Alfredo sauce, cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, and sausage crumbles, then is topped with shredded cheese and baked until golden and bubbling.
- Mushroom Baked Rigatoni - A rich mushroom and cheese sauce with soft rigatoni and a crunchy kale gremolata topping for a wholesome, comforting meal.
- Vegetable Sausage Pasta Bake - Packed with browned ground sausage, saucy penne, hearty veggies, and melted mozzarella, this all-in-one pasta bake cooks into a fuss-free family favorite.
🍽 What to serve with baked creamed spinach pasta
Enjoy this creamed spinach pasta bake as a comforting vegetarian meal alongside garlic bread or a light side salad.
It also makes a tasty side to seared tuna steaks, grilled steak, or baked chicken.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Baking dish - A 9x13-inch broiler-safe baking dish holds the assembled creamy spinach pasta.
- Baking tray - A large rimmed baking sheet provides a stable surface to spread the cooked penne on so it cools quickly and doesn’t stick together while you prepare the sauce.
- Large pot - Used first to boil the pasta, then wiped clean and reused to wilt the spinach and combine all the ingredients before transferring to the baking dish.
- Colander - For draining the molto al dente pasta.
- Measuring cups - accurately portions the half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and other larger-volume ingredients.
- Measuring spoons – They help you measure salt, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, lemon zest, and flour. This keeps flavors balanced and helps thicken the dish without going too far.
- Wooden spoon - The perfect tool for stirring ingredients without scratching the bottom of the pot.
- Chef's knife - For mincing the shallot and garlic, as well as chopping the optional parsley garnish.
- Cutting board - Offers a stable, safe surface for preparing the ingredients for this vegetarian pasta bake.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Amici, this is one of those recipes that just wraps you up like a cozy blanket. 💛 You know the kind—simple ingredients, easy steps, but the result feels like something you’d order at your favorite little trattoria.
I love how the creamy spinach melts right into the pasta, and that bubbly, golden cheese on top? Mamma mia… don’t skip that broil at the end—it’s everything! 😍
This is also one of my favorite “back pocket” dinners. You can pull it together on a busy night. Serve it straight from the baking dish. Then everyone goes quiet, because they’re too busy eating. That’s always a good sign, right?
Serve it with a crisp salad, maybe a little garlic bread on the side, and just like that—dinner feels a little special. Around here, we believe the best conversations happen over a dish of pasta. Pull up a sedia (chair)... there's always room for one more.
Buon appetito, amica… and don’t forget to go back for seconds! 🍝✨
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Baked Creamed Spinach Pasta
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne may use whole-wheat. We used regular penne pasta cooked molto al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese cut into pieces
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast optional
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes add more if you like it spicy
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 10-ounce packages baby spinach** See notes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Position oven rack in center; preheat to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch broiler-safe baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook 12 ounces of pasta according to package directions. Drain well in a colander; spread on a large rimmed baking sheet. Wipe the pot clean.
- Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese pieces, ¾ cup Parmesan, 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (if using), ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk in 2 cups half-and-half.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add minced shallot and minced garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually add 2 packages spinach; cook, tossing constantly using tongs, until completely wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of flour; cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is evenly coated, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Add the cooked pasta, the cream cheese mixture, and ½ cup mozzarella to the pot; stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading into an even layer; sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake until warmed through and slightly bubbling around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Increase oven temperature to broil. Uncover the baking dish; broil on the center rack until browned on top, about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Marisa Franca
This is really two recipes in one – it's creamed spinach marrying into the baked pasta family. It's so good and easy to make. Yes! We've made it ahead and then baked it when we were ready to eat. So good!! This is a keeper!