Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get stuck wondering what to bring to a potluck ? Honestly, I hate showing up empty handed. This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake is a total lifesaver.

It’s packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make.

Brief Overview

The pasta bake is a classic comfort food. This version is easy, ready in under an hour, and serves 8-10 hungry folks.

It’s proper crowd pleasing recipes for the win. This Italian American dish is a staple and an easy potluck dishes .

Main Benefits

This recipe is packed with hidden spinach, so it's a sneaky way to get your veggies. It's absolutely perfect for casual gatherings.

What makes this recipe special? You can prep it ahead of time! It’s also portable! Think make-ahead potluck meals and portable potluck meals all in one.

The Star Ingredients: Pasta, Tomato, and Cream

Let's gather our ingredients, shall we? We need pasta, obviously. Penne works great, but any short shape will do. We also need tomatoes crushed and sauced and some creamy tomato pasta to bind it all together.

Equipment: Your Arsenal of Culinary Weapons

Don't worry, you don't need fancy gadgets for this. A big pot for boiling pasta, a skillet for the sauce, and a 9x13 inch baking dish are all you need. Easy peasy!

Making the Magic Happen: step-by-step

First, cook your pasta al dente . Nobody likes mushy pasta, right? Then, simmer your sauce with onion, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.

Don't forget the creamy filling with cream cheese, Parmesan, and spinach. Once it all comes together, top with mozzarella and bake until golden and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions: How to Plate Like a Pro

Serve this best potluck dishes with garlic bread and a simple salad. A glass of red wine wouldn’t hurt either. This warm potluck dishes is really great for cozy get-togethers with friends.

Variations and Substitutions: Make It Your Own

Want to add some meat? Go for it! Ground beef or sausage would be lush. Vegetarian? Throw in mushrooms or bell peppers.

dairy-free? No worries, there are plenty of alternatives available now. This is a great potluck ideas for a crowd dish.

This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake will be gone in minutes. Don't be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe!

Alright, let's get stuck in! We're making a Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake perfect for potluck meals ! This ain’t your average bake.

It’s gonna be a crowd pleasing recipe , I promise. I can see it being an easy potluck dish .

Ingredients & Equipment

Let's get our ducks in a row. For the best potluck recipes , you need top-notch ingredients.

Main Ingredients

• Penne Pasta: 1 pound (450g) . Aim for good quality pasta that holds its shape. No one wants a soggy bake!
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
• Onion: 1 medium , finely chopped.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce/794g) can .
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (15 ounce/425g) can .
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
• Dried Basil: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) .
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional): ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) .
• Cream Cheese: 8 ounces (225g) , softened. This is crucial for that creamy texture! Make sure it's properly softened.
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup (120ml) .
• Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (60g) , grated.
• Fresh Spinach: 10 ounces (280g) , roughly chopped. Fresh spinach wilts beautifully. You can swap for frozen in pinch, just make sure it is thawed and excess water removed.
• Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup (100g) , shredded.
• Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup (25g) , grated (for the topping).

Seasoning Notes

Oregano and basil are your core Italian herbs. This helps create those best potluck dishes . A little red pepper adds a kick, but skip it if you prefer mild make-ahead potluck meals .

Salt and pepper are your best friends, season generously!

Equipment Needed

• Large Pot: For cooking the pasta, obviously!
• Large Skillet or Saucepan: For the creamy tomato pasta sauce.
• 9x13 inch Baking Dish: The stage for our warm potluck dishes masterpiece! You can totally use something similar if that's all you've got.

This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake is a fantastic portable potluck meal , perfect for any get-together. Now that we have the potluck ideas for a crowd and ingredients sorted, let's get cooking!

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake (Potluck Perfect!)

This recipe is a proper crowd pleaser. Honestly, who doesn’t love a good pasta bake ? It's perfect for any potluck .

Tender pasta? Check. Rich, creamy tomato sauce? Double check. Fresh spinach? Oh my gosh, yes! This crowd pleasing recipes is baked to bubbly, golden perfection.

And let's be real, it's super easy to transport. Ideal for portable potluck meals , innit?

It is an Easy cooking, just need to boil the pasta and simmer the sauce.

Prep Steps

• Essential mise en place : Get all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Chop the onion and garlic, measure out your spices, and roughly chop the spinach. It makes life so much easier, trust me.
• Time saving organization tips : Soften the cream cheese ahead of time. You can do this while the pasta water is heating. That way, it's ready to rock when you need it. Also, use pre-shredded cheese if you’re in a rush. No shame in that game!
• Safety reminders : Be careful when draining the pasta. Steam is no joke! Also, make sure your baking dish is heatproof before putting it in the oven. We don't want any kitchen disasters.

step-by-step Process

1. Cook 1 pound (450g) penne pasta until al dente . Drain and set aside. Don’t overcook it, yeah? No one likes mushy pasta.
2. Sauté 1 finely chopped onion in 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant. Smells divine, doesn’t it?
3. Stir in 1 (28 ounce/794g) can crushed tomatoes , 1 (15 ounce/425g) can tomato sauce , 1 teaspoon (5ml) dried oregano , ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) dried basil , ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) red pepper flakes (optional) , salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes , stirring occasionally. Get that creamy tomato pasta goodness going.
4. Beat 8 ounces (225g) softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream and ½ cup (60g) grated Parmesan cheese .
5. Add the cooked pasta and 10 ounces (280g) roughly chopped fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir, then add the cream cheese mixture and stir again.
6. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle with 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese .
8. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 20- 25 minutes , until golden and bubbly. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips

• Want to add a bit of extra flavour? Try browning some Italian sausage and stirring it into the sauce. Or maybe some mushrooms?
• Common mistake alert: Don't forget to season your sauce properly! Salt and pepper are your friends, mate.
• This is a great one for make-ahead potluck meals . You can assemble it the day before and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to go.

So there you have it. A proper Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake, perfect for those potluck ideas for a crowd moments.

It's one of the best potluck dishes out there, a winner every time. I bet this will be one of the most wanted easy potluck dishes at your party! And, of course, you can take it to any gathering, because it is one of the perfect warm potluck dishes to bring.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake The Potluck Star!

Right then, let's chat about a few things to make this pasta bake a proper winner for your next gathering.

This creamy tomato pasta recipe is a game changer! It is also one of the best potluck dishes around. I remember once, I took a similar bake to a friend's birthday, and it vanished in minutes! Honestly, it was like watching a flock of seagulls descend on a dropped chip.

What to Serve with This Beauty?

Plating and Presentation Ideas: Forget fancy! This is about sharing, innit? A simple but stylish trick is to use a nice, deep dish.

Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves after baking. Gives it a pop, you know?

Complementary Sides or Beverages: Garlic bread is a must. Imagine dipping that crusty bread into the creamy tomato sauce! A side salad with a zingy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.

As for drinks, a chilled Pinot Grigio or even just some decent elderflower cordial will do the trick.

Keeping the Goodness Fresh

Refrigeration Guidelines: If you’re making this ahead (smart move for make-ahead potluck meals !), let it cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with foil or cling film.

It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing Options: Yep, you can freeze it! Cut it into portions and wrap each piece tightly in cling film. Then, pop them into a freezer bag.

It'll keep for up to 2 months. Defrost it overnight in the fridge before reheating. Perfect for portable potluck meals !

Reheating Instructions: For fridge cold bake, bung it in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until heated through, about 20- 30 minutes.

Cover with foil if it starts to brown too much. If it is frozen, add another 20- 25 minutes of cooking time! You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave if you're in a rush.

Making it Your Own

Dietary Adaptations: Going veggie? This is already spot-on! Need a gluten-free option? Just swap out the pasta for a gluten-free variety.

Easy peasy! For diary free swap the cream cheese for a diary free cream cheese option.

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: Spinach works year round, but in the autumn, try adding some roasted butternut squash or some chopped kale. Gives it a lovely autumnal twist!

A Little Bit of Knowledge

Simplified Nutrition Information: Each serving is about 450 calories. It's got a good amount of protein and carbs, so it’ll keep everyone full.

Key Health Benefits: Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants, and spinach is full of vitamins. So, you’re basically serving up a delicious and nutritious dish! I'm saying, it's much healthier than grabbing a takeaway.

Honestly, this recipe is a real winner. It's a crowd pleaser, easy to tweak, and always goes down a treat. So, get in the kitchen and give it a go! You'll have one of the best potluck recipes and easy potluck dishes on the table and you might even surprise yourself!