Baked Rigatoni Spinach Ricotta (Print)

Rigatoni baked with spinach, ricotta, and marinara for a comforting, cheesy pasta dish ideal for any occasion.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 450 g rigatoni, cooked al dente

→ Dairy

02 - 360 g ricotta cheese
03 - 150 g shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 50 g grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables

05 - 30 g fresh spinach, lightly sautéed

→ Sauce

06 - 600 ml marinara sauce

→ Seasonings

07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 190°C and lightly grease a 23×33 cm baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, mix the cooked rigatoni with marinara sauce, sautéed spinach, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
03 - Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Dot with half the ricotta and sprinkle with half the shredded mozzarella.
04 - Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Spoon over the rest of the ricotta and scatter the remaining mozzarella on top.
05 - Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the surface. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
06 - Allow the baked rigatoni to rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to streamline preparation before baking.
02 - For a gluten-free adaptation, substitute traditional rigatoni with certified gluten-free pasta.
03 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.