Baked Mediterranean Pasta Medley with Herbs and Cheese

Ingredients

- 2 cups pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 teaspoon Greek seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup bocconcini cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing with butter.

2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Sauté Ingredients: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Incorporate the chopped cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and sliced olives into the skillet. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, Greek seasonings, and dried oregano. Cook for another 3 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.

5. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, and fresh spinach. Add basil pesto, fresh basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss everything until evenly coated.

6. Layer with Cheese: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread a layer of feta, gorgonzola, and bocconcini cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top. Finish with a layer of Parmesan cheese.

7. Bake and Serve: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden. Once cooked, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Total Time

PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Mediterranean, Baked pasta, Vegetarian, Comfort food, Herb-infused, Cheesy, Spinach pasta, Easy dinner, Oven-baked, Gourmet

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1,600 Calories

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