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    Home ยป Pasta recipes

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    Tomato, spinach and mozzarella pasta bake recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    Here's a really simple mozzarella, tomato and spinach pasta bake that doesn't take hundreds of pots and pans to make and looks impressive when served at the dinner table. 

    A garlicky, cheesy pasta bake with spinach and refreshing bursts of ripe cherry tomatoes.

    Here's how to make this mozzarella pasta bake.

    Ingredients

    • 400 g (14 oz) dried rigatoni
    • 25 g (2 tbsp) salted butter plus a little to grease the dish
    • 350 g (1¾ cups) fresh cherry tomatoes halved
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1-2 tsp chilli flakes
    • 200 g (½ lb) fresh spinach
    • 2-3 tbsp olive oil
    • 250 g (8 oz) fresh mozzarella vegetarian if required, torn into inch pieces
    • 100 g (½+⅓ cups) grated/shredded cheddar cheese vegetarian if required
    • 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
    • 20 g (4 tbsp) fresh breadcrumbs
    • 30 g (⅓ cup) Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative finely grated

    Equipment

    • Large saucepan
    • Colander
    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Large nonstick frying pan
    • Kitchen knife
    • Chopping board
    • Grater
    • Small mixing bowl

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 180C / 355F / 160C fan.

    Boil the pasta in plenty of salted, boiling water for just 5 minutes until softening but still very firm. They'll finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.

    Put the butter in a large pan over a medium heat and melt.

    Butter melting in a pan surrounded by different ingredients required to make Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake.
    The butter having been melted in the pan. Surrounded by Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake ingredients.

    Add the cherry tomatoes, chilli flakes, garlic and a pinch of pepper and fry for 2 minutes until soft.

    Some of the ingredients for the Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake being added to the pan.
    Chopped cherry tomatoes in the pan having been cooked. The shot is taken overhead and the pan is surrounded by ingredients required to make the Butter melting in a pan surrounded by different ingredients required to make Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake.

    Add the fresh spinach and fry for a further 2 minutes until wilted.

    Overhead shot of spinach in a pan surrounded by ingredients required to make the Butter melting in a pan surrounded by different ingredients required to make Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake.
    Spinach and tomatoes having been cooked in a pan. These are two of the ingredients required to make the Butter melting in a pan surrounded by different ingredients required to make Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake.

    Add the semi-cooked pasta.

    Overhead shot of some semi cooked pasta in a pan.

    Add the cheddar and mozzarella and toss together until evenly mixed.

    Cheeses being added to the pan of semi cooked pasta. Surrounded by additional ingredients required to make the Butter melting in a pan surrounded by different ingredients required to make Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake.
    The cooked ingredients for Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake mixed together.

    Tip all of the pasta into a greased roasting tin.

    Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake in a roasting tin.

    In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and a pinch of pepper.

    Overhead shot of four small bowls of cheese.
    Overhead shot of some bowls of cheese being mixed together.

    Sprinkle evenly all over the pasta.

    Sprinkling the cheese over the Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake in a tray pan.

    Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.

    The Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake having been baked in the oven.

    Serve immediately.

    Overhead shot of a decorative bowl with a serving of Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake alongside the pan and a side salad.

    Enjoy! What will you serve with your mozzarella pasta bake?

    A fork going into the bowl of Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake. The bowl is sat alongside the pan with the remainder of the Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake alongside a side salad.

    Print this recipe

    Here's the recipe for this cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake again in a printable format.

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    4.3 from 7 votes

    Cherry Tomato, Spinach and Garlic Mozzarella Pasta Bake Recipe

    A really simple mozzarella and spinach pasta bake that doesn’t take hundreds of pots and pans to make and looks impressive when served at the dinner table. Make this garlicky, cheesy pasta bake with spinach and refreshing bursts of ripe cherry tomatoes in under 30 minutes.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time55 minutes mins
    Course: Pasta meals
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 6 servings
    Author: Emily Leary

    Ingredients

    • 400 g (14 oz) dried rigatoni
    • 25 g (2 tbsp) salted butter plus a little to grease the dish
    • 350 g (1¾ cups) fresh cherry tomatoes halved
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1-2 tsp chilli flakes
    • 200 g (½ lb) fresh spinach
    • 2-3 tbsp olive oil
    • 250 g (8 oz) fresh mozzarella vegetarian if required, torn into inch pieces
    • 100 g (½+⅓ cups) grated/shredded cheddar cheese vegetarian if required
    • 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
    • 20 g (4 tbsp) fresh breadcrumbs
    • 30 g (⅓ cup) Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative finely grated

    Equipment

    • Large saucepan
    • Colander
    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Large nonstick frying pan
    • Kitchen knife
    • Chopping board
    • Grater
    • Small mixing bowl

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180C / 355F / 160C fan.
    • Boil the pasta in plenty of salted, boiling water for just 5 minutes until softening but still very firm. They'll finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
    • Put the butter in a large pan over a medium heat and melt.
    • Add the cherry tomatoes, chilli flakes, garlic and a pinch of pepper and fry for 2 minutes until soft.
    • Add the fresh spinach and fry for a further 2 minutes until wilted.
    • Add the semi-cooked pasta, cheddar and mozzarella and toss together until evenly mixed.
    • Tip into a greased roasting tin.
    • In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and a pinch of pepper.
    • Sprinkle evenly all over the pasta.
    • Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
    • Serve immediately.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4102IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 451mg | Iron: 3mg
    * Note: nutritional information is estimated, based on publicly available data. Nutrient values may vary from those published. Information on this website should not be taken as medical advice. Cuisines identify the primary region of inspiration for a dish.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @amummytoo on Instagram or tag @EmilyLearyCooks on Twitter. I can't wait to see your posts!

    Pin this spinach and mozzarella pasta bake for later

    Three process images of the Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake being made. At the top of the image there's some text describing the image for Pinterest.
    Overhead shot of a decorative bowl filled with Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake. At the bottom of the image there's some white text describing the image for Pinterest.
    Overhead shot of a bowl of Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake alongside a side salad on a grey table.
    Overhead shot of Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake in a bowl. At the top of the image there's some text describing the image for Pinterest.
    Overhead shot of a decorative bowl of Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake on a grey table.
    Overhead shot of a decorarive bowl filled with Cherry tomato, spinach and garlic mozzarella pasta bake. Alongside the tray of the remaining bake and a side salad. At the top of the image there's some white text on a green background describing the image for Pinterest.

    More great recipes to try

    For more delicious pasta meals, try these delicious recipes:

    Chunky Keema Pasta Bake Recipe
    A deliciously flavourful keema pasta bake, with gently curry flavours and a fabulous topping of stretchy mozzarella cheese.
    Get the recipe
    Smokey Halloumi Pasta Bake Recipe
    This Halloumi Pasta Bake is utterly incredible. It's filling, full of a perfect blend of firm and gooey textures, and it's busting with tomatoey tang.
    Get the recipe
    Linguine Alla Genovese Recipe
    This from-scratch linguine alla genovese is exceptionally tasty as the pesto is freshly blitzed, the waxy potatoes are deliciously warming, the beans are fresh and firm, and the pasta is perfectly coated in a light, creamy, pesto rich sauce.
    Get the recipe

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    Comments

      4.29 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    1. Aimee says

      February 15, 2023 at 7:55 am

      Can this be made in the morning ready to put in the oven at dinner time? Trying to find recipies I can make ahead of time to make life a bit easier with my newborn!

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        February 15, 2023 at 4:45 pm

        Yes, I don't see why not as long as it's cooled, covered, and immediately placed in the refrigerator. The pasta may be softer this way, but it should still be delicious.

        Reply
    2. Lara says

      October 28, 2015 at 9:40 pm

      4 stars
      Made this tonight. Delicious - thank you :)

      Reply
    3. Lauryna says

      March 07, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      Doing this right now. Smells awesome and I think it'll be delicious!

      Reply
    4. Sophie at Franglaise Cooking says

      March 07, 2014 at 11:12 am

      I love a good pasta bake and you can't beat cherry tomatoes and mozzarella with pasta. Yummy! I'm sure the kids would love this.

      Reply
    5. Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! says

      March 07, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Oh I must try this out. #recipeoftheweek

      Reply
    6. Emmys Mummy says

      March 07, 2014 at 8:16 am

      That looks AMAZING.
      I think I'll be trying this next week. Thank you

      Reply
    7. Kizzy says

      March 07, 2014 at 7:23 am

      Wow this si what I'm having for tea tonight

      Reply
    8. Kirsty says

      March 06, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      There is something so satisfying about a pasta bake. I can almost smell the garlic, melted cheeses and spinach in your post. Your photography always makes food look unbelievably tempting. Have pinned to eat next week :-)

      Reply
    9. Fritha says

      March 06, 2014 at 3:35 pm

      this looks delish! need to make this for my boys sometime, even fussy Wilf would gobble this down! x

      Reply
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