Mostaccioli with Spinach and Feta is a delectable pasta dish that combines the flavors of classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. This vegetarian-friendly meal features tender mostaccioli pasta generously coated in a creamy tomato sauce made with fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and a touch of garlic. The result is a flavorful and colorful dish that is sure to be a hit with the entire family. The article provides three variations of this recipe: the classic version with a creamy tomato sauce, a lighter version with a roasted red pepper sauce, and a vegan version with a dairy-free sauce. With its easy-to-follow instructions and detailed ingredient list, this recipe article is a valuable resource for home cooks of all skill levels seeking a delicious and versatile pasta dish to add to their repertoire.
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THE BEST BAKED MOSTACCIOLI
The best baked mostaccioli has everything you love about lasagna - a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella bubbling at the edges. But instead of flat lasagna noodles, the pasta is mostaccioli, a type of penne with a smooth exterior. The short, tubular shape encourages plenty of sauce and cheese to get trapped inside so every bite is satisfying. We upped the ante with a combination of ground beef and sweet Italian sausage, providing the classic meatiness in the tomato sauce. While mostaccioli originates from the Campania region in southern Italy, this specific dish has ties to Chicago and St. Louis as a hearty casserole to serve at large family gatherings.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h35m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, a good pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage; cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until crumbled, golden brown and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper; cook, stirring, until the garlic is tender and the tomato paste is thoroughly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, parsley sprigs and 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover partially with a lid and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, stir together the ricotta, 1/4 cup of the Pecorino Romano, the egg, remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano, pinch of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and combined; set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Once the meat sauce is finished cooking, remove the parsley sprigs and discard. Stir in the al dente mostaccioli until well coated.
- Transfer half of the pasta and sauce to the prepared baking dish, then spread the ricotta mixture on top in an even layer with a rubber spatula or small offset spatula. Top with the remaining pasta and sauce, followed by the mozzarella, then the remaining 3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
MOSTACCIOLI WITH SPINACH AND FETA
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
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
SPINACH-FETA PENNE WITH PINE NUTS
I developed this recipe after having something similar at an Italian restaurant. My husband loves it! The pine nuts really add a special element of flavor. Adjust the amount of feta cheese to your own tastes; I happen to like a lot in this dish.
Provided by HollyJane
Categories Penne
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook penne pasta according to package directions.
- As pasta is cooking, toast pine nuts lightly in a small skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove pine nuts from heat when lightly browned, after about 1-2 minutes.
- Set aside pine nuts.
- Drain cooked pasta and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or wok.
- Add garlic and saute over medium heat for about 30 seconds, being careful not to let garlic brown.
- Stir in cooked pasta.
- Stir in feta and Parmesan cheese and cook for a 2-3 minutes, until feta cheese just starts to melt and pasta and cheese is thoroughly heated through.
- Stir in spinach and continue to heat until spinach barely starts to wilt.
- Take pasta off heat and stir in the toasted pine nuts.
- Transfer to serving dish and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 823.6, Fat 38.5, SaturatedFat 14.6, Cholesterol 70.1, Sodium 992.4, Carbohydrate 97.1, Fiber 13.8, Sugar 3.2, Protein 27
SPINACH PENNE SALAD
This healthy recipe will shine as is, or double the vinaigrette and use half to marinate and grill chicken breasts if you want to add a protein. Slice and add to the salad. -Benice Silver, Carmel, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, onions and olives. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 calories, Fat 15g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
PENNE WITH SPINACH AND FETA
Make and share this Penne With Spinach and Feta recipe from Food.com.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Melt butter with 2 tblsps oil in large skillet over medium heat.
- Add pine nuts and garlic and saute until pine nuts are light brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add spinach and tomatoes and saute until heated through, about 3 minutes.
- Place penne in large serving bowl.
- Add remaining 4 tblsps olive oil to pasta and toss to coat.
- Pour spinach-nut mixture over and toss to coat.
- Add feta.
- Season with salt and pepper (careful with the salt!) and toss thoroughly.
- Serve immediately.
SUKI'S SPINACH AND FETA PASTA
Spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms mingle with tangy feta cheese in this quick and easy dish for a summer night or anytime.
Provided by Anonymous
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic, and cook until golden brown. Mix in tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2 minutes more, until tomatoes are heated through and spinach is wilted. Reduce heat to medium, stir in pasta and feta cheese, and cook until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.1 calories, Carbohydrate 51.8 g, Cholesterol 50.5 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 17.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.8 g, Sodium 655.8 mg, Sugar 9.2 g
MOSTACCIOLI SPINACH BAKE
From Cooking Light. I've upped the fat a little by using real butter, the recipe originally called for reduced-calorie stick margarine, so you can go that way if you prefer. If you can't find mostaccioli, any tubular pasta will do, like a penne. I can find mostaccioli easier than I can spell it. I usually melt the bit of butter at the end for making the topping; your choice, you can cut it in. Hope you enjoy!
Provided by BumblingBs
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain, set aside.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 5 minutes or until tender. Add flour, cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook 4 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of cheese, Italian seasoning, and pepper; remove from heat.
- Combine pasta, cheese sauce, 1 cup parmesan cheese, tomatoes, and spinach in a large bowl; stir well. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Combine breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons cheese, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle over pasta mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.2, Fat 11.9, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 32, Sodium 651.5, Carbohydrate 51.7, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 5.3, Protein 21.6
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess moisture before using.
- Feel free to use any type of pasta you like for this recipe. Mostaccioli, penne, and ziti are all good choices.
- If you don't have feta cheese on hand, you can substitute another type of soft cheese, such as ricotta or cottage cheese.
- To make a vegetarian version of this recipe, simply omit the ground beef.
- You can also add other vegetables to this recipe, such as chopped zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Serve mostaccioli with a side of garlic bread or a green salad.
Conclusion:
Mostaccioli with spinach and feta is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy pasta recipe, give this one a try.
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