Best 8 Baked Spinach Mostaccioli Recipes

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Baked spinach mostaccioli is a delectable and comforting dish that combines the goodness of spinach, cheese, and pasta. It is a perfect meal for lunch or dinner and is sure to be enjoyed by people of all ages. This classic dish is relatively easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. Whether you prefer a vegetarian option or one with meat, there are countless variations that can be explored. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to creating the best baked spinach mostaccioli, including tips on selecting the right ingredients and cooking techniques to ensure a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY SPINACH BAKED PENNE



Cheesy Spinach Baked Penne image

Making homemade tomato sauce for this recipe really allows you to control what goes into it. Here, it's mixed up with chunks of mozzarella for extra bursts of cheesy goodness, along with cottage cheese for all the satisfying qualities of ricotta with only a fraction of the fat and calories.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h21m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Nonstick cooking spray
Kosher salt
One 12-ounce box fiber-and-calcium-enriched penne
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
One 28-ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
1 sprig fresh basil plus 1/2 cup leaves, torn, for garnish
Freshly ground black pepper
One 8-ounce block part-skim mozzarella (half grated, half cubed)
One 16-ounce container 1-percent cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
One 10-ounce block frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Mist a 2 to 2 1/2-quart rectangular or oval baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions for al dente.
  • While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a medium pot set over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds and garlic and cook until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil sprig, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, lowering the heat if the sauce bubbles too vigorously, until the sauce has thickened slightly, the flavors have blended together and the raw tomato taste has cooked out, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the basil and season with additional salt and pepper. Pour over the cooked pasta and toss well to coat. Add the cubed mozzarella and transfer half the pasta to the prepared baking dish.
  • Put the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Add the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan and pulse two to three times. Combine half the cottage cheese mixture with the spinach and mix to break up the spinach. Drop in spoonfuls over the pasta in the baking dish. Top the spinach layer with the rest of the pasta and then the remaining cottage cheese mixture.
  • Bake until bubbly and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes, and then scatter the torn basil over the top.

BAKED MOSTACCIOLI



Baked Mostaccioli image

I came across this mostaccioli several years ago, and it has been a hit with my family ever since. It's ideal to take to our church potlucks, because it serves a large group.-Darlene Carlson, Jamestown, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 ounces uncooked mostaccioli
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (4 ounces) sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup water
1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 °. Cook mostaccioli according to package directions; drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain. , Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, mushrooms, water, salt, sugar, basil, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Discard bay leaf. Stir in mostaccioli. Spoon half into a 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese; layer with remaining meat mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Cover and bake 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 593mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

MOSTACCIOLI BAKE



Mostaccioli Bake image

This homey lasagna-style casserole from Dorothy Bateman of Carver, Massachusetts will appeal to the whole family. There's plenty of spaghetti sauce to keep the layers of tender pasta and spinach-cheese mixture moist. "It's a hearty main dish that can be made early in the day, refrigerated and baked at dinnertime," Dorothy notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 ounces uncooked mostaccioli
1 large egg
1 large egg white
2 cups 1% cottage cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2-1/2 cups meatless spaghetti sauce, divided

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the egg, egg white, cottage cheese, spinach, 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper; set aside. Drain pasta; stir in 2 cups spaghetti sauce., Layer half of the pasta mixture in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with spinach mixture, remaining pasta mixture and remaining spaghetti sauce. , Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 837mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BAKED SPINACH AND ZUCCHINI



Baked Spinach and Zucchini image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, divided
Good olive oil
6 scallions, white and green parts, sliced 1/4 inch across
1 pound small zucchini, sliced in 1/4-inch-thick rounds (4 zucchini)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
1 cup cooked basmati rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra
2 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-14-by-2-inch oval baking dish, or six individual cast-iron pans, with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the scallions and zucchini and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Lightly press most of the water out of the spinach and add it to the pan. Add the rice, basil, parsley, nutmeg, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, the -remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, and the 1/4 cup Parmesan. Pour the mixture over the spinach and zucchini and smooth the top. Sprinkle with some extra Parmesan and the Gruyere. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

BAKED SPINACH MOSTACCIOLI



Baked Spinach Mostaccioli image

Make and share this Baked Spinach Mostaccioli recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Spinach

Time 1h

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta (cooked in lightly salted water, drained and divided)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (8 ounce) package mushrooms, halved
2 (28 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Place half the cooked/drained mostaccioli in a lightly greased 2 1/2 quart casserole dish; top with spinach and mushrooms (sprinkle with a little salt and pepper).
  • Place remaining mostaccioli over mushroom mixture; pour spaghetti sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 375.4, Fat 10, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 17.7, Sodium 975.1, Carbohydrate 55.6, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 16.6, Protein 16.1

BAKED TURKEY AND SPINACH MEATBALLS WITH ORZO



Baked Turkey and Spinach Meatballs with Orzo image

Since ground turkey can be dry, we used a flavorful spinach and garlic paste here to help keep it moist. The paste does double duty and helps cut prep time, since it's also used as the flavoring base for the orzo.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 5-ounce package baby spinach (about 8 cups)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 pound ground turkey
3/4 cup panko
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup orzo
1 1/2 cups frozen artichoke quarters, coarsely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425˚ F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine half of the spinach, the onion and garlic in a food processor; pulse to make a coarse paste. Transfer all but 1/4 cup of the paste to a large bowl.
  • Add the turkey, panko, egg and 1/4 cup Parmesan to the bowl. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and mix to combine. Form into 12 meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
  • Bake the meatballs until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and broil the meatballs until browned on top, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the orzo and artichokes and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved 1/4 cup spinach paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; stir to coat the orzo. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the broth is absorbed and the orzo is saucy but still al dente, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and the remaining spinach; bring to a simmer, uncovered. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts but is still bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
  • Divide the orzo among shallow bowls. Top with the meatballs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 542, Fat 20 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Cholesterol 146 milligrams, Sodium 890 milligrams, Carbohydrate 53 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Sugar 3 grams, Protein 39 grams

MOSTACCIOLI WITH SPINACH AND FETA



Mostaccioli with Spinach and Feta image

I use mostaccioli or penne, whichever is available. I have served this hot or cold.

Provided by Cathy Burghardt

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chopped tomatoes
10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces tomato basil feta cheese
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a large pot. Add tomatoes, spinach, and garlic; cook and stir 2 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and mixture is thoroughly heated. Add pasta and cheese; cook 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 301 calories, Carbohydrate 34.1 g, Cholesterol 33.6 mg, Fat 13.8 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 12.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 465.3 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

EASY BAKED MOSTACCIOLI



Easy Baked Mostaccioli image

Simple hardy mostaccioli pasta dish that can be baked in a throw-away aluminum pan for easy clean up.

Provided by Alyssa Buschman

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 ½ (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook mostaccioli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef until browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain and discard grease. Add spaghetti sauce to the pan and mix with the beef.
  • Transfer beef mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly over the bottom and layer cooked pasta over top. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508.1 calories, Carbohydrate 60.5 g, Cholesterol 59.2 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 821 mg, Sugar 14.3 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh spinach. Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and color than frozen spinach.
  • Cook the spinach properly. Overcooked spinach will be mushy and lose its color. To cook spinach properly, wilt it in a little olive oil over medium heat until it is just wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Use a good quality marinara sauce. The marinara sauce is the backbone of this dish, so it's important to use a good quality sauce. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until it is al dente.
  • Let the dish rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the pasta to absorb the sauce.

Conclusion:

Baked spinach mostaccioli is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover spinach. With its combination of tender pasta, creamy spinach, and flavorful marinara sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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