5.0 from 9 votes
Pasta Florentine (Vegetarian)
Comforting and delicious, Pasta Florentine is packed with spinach and cheese and makes a great weeknight dinner!Super easy to pull together, the whole family will enjoy this.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 599 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound fresh baby spinach washed and drained
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside. Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Heat butter in a Dutch oven (or other heavy based pan) over medium-high heat; saute onion 5 minutes or until just brown. Add garlic, and cook about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add spinach; cover and cook 5 minutes or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle spinach mixture with flour. Cook uncovered, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring well. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in cooked pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, sugar, salt and pepper, and red pepper. Place into prepared dish and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese melts
- Devour.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You don't HAVE to bake this pasta dish, I just like to melt the cheese on the top and have it be super scoopable vs pasta/sauce-like.
- I add crushed red pepper to mine for an extra boost of flavor and a kick of heat. If you don't love spice, leave it out. Test for seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Substitutions/Additions
- I use baby spinach, but if you don't have any - use some frozen spinach. Be sure to thaw and squeeze out as much of the moisture as you can.
- If you don't have ricotta, you could use some cream cheese in a pinch.
- If you want to add protein, I recommend grilling some chicken breasts, or some salmon.
- What do do with leftovers
- Store in the refrigerator in a covered container for a few days. When reheating in the microwave you may wish to add a little milk to stop it from drying out.
Nutrition Information
Calories
599kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
72g
(24%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
21g
(32%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Cholesterol
58mg
(19%)
Sodium
605mg
(25%)
Potassium
805mg
(23%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
7941IU
(159%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
621mg
(62%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 599
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 599kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 72g | 24% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 58mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 605mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 805mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 7941IU | 159% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 621mg | 62% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.