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Recipe of The Day: The Grinch’s Pesto Pasta Bake

Dec 18, 2024 | Recipes

Quick, easy, and bursting with delicious holiday cheer, this Grinch-inspired pesto pasta bake will warm your family’s hearts!

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Recipe of The Day: The Grinch’s Pesto Pasta Bake


  • Author: A Better Meal
  • Total Time: 55

Description

A festive and delicious pesto pasta bake with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and three types of cheese, perfect for a holiday meal.


Ingredients

Scale

10 oz. Baby spinach, roughly chopped

1 lb. Whole wheat penne

1 1/4 cup Pesto

1 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved

1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup Ricotta cheese

1/4 cup Grated parmesan

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 1/12 tsp. Fresh thyme

Pinch of salt and black pepper


Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine ricotta, grated parmesan, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until needed to keep it firm and flavorful.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly coat a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 3: In a large pot of salted water, cook the until al dente, then drain.

Step 4: Add the pasta to the baking dish and spoon over the pesto (can also use store-bought to homemade), stirring gently until the pasta is well-coated in green pesto.

Step 5: Arrange spinach and cherry tomatoes on top for a holiday look, creating clusters of red tomatoes among the green spinach. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle the mozzarella evenly on top.

Step 6: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minuets until cheese is melted and golden around the edges. Let cool for 5 minuets before serving.

 

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 645 kcal
  • Sugar: 5.24 g
  • Sodium: 809.43 mg
  • Fat: 33.96 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11.29 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57.26 g
  • Fiber: 7.7 g
  • Protein: 25.83 g
  • Cholesterol: 50.17 mg