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Baked Orecchiette with Spinach in a bowl on a table ready to enjoy

Baked Orecchiette with Spinach

Whether you're a pasta lover, home cook, or vegetarian enthusiast (omit the bacon!), this Baked Orecchiette with Spinach brings a hearty, cheesy casserole vibe to your dinner table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American/Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 534 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g (½ pound) orecchiette pasta
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup sliced bacon
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium brown onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 250 g (½ pound) basil, defrosted and dried
  • 1 can (400g/14 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • fresh basil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 190C/375F.
  • Heat cast iron skillet with olive oil over medium heat.
    2 tablespoon olive oil
  • Cook onions with bacon for 5-7 minutes or until slightly golden.
    1 medium brown onion, ¼ cup sliced bacon
    combining onions and bacon in a pan to make Baked Orecchiette with Spinach
  • Mix in spinach and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes to remove any excess moisture.
    sauteeing spinach with other ingredients to make Baked Orecchiette with Spinach
  • Season spinach with garlic, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Stir well.
    2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon chili flakes
    spinach and other ingredients being sauteed to make Baked Orecchiette with Spinach
  • Pour in tomato sauce and bring spinach and tomato sauce to a boil. Adjust the seasoning if needed and set aside.
    1 can (400g/14 oz) tomato sauce
    tomato sauce being added to spinach and other ingredients to make Baked Orecchiette with Spinach
  • Boil a pot of salted water and cook pasta half the time that is listed in the instructions.
    250 g (½ pound) orecchiette pasta
  • Drain pasta and leave around ½ cup of pasta water.
    adding pasta to other ingredients to make Baked Orecchiette with Spinach
  • Add pasta and pasta water into the spinach sauce, mix well and top with shredded cheese.
    1 cup shredded cheese
    topping Baked Orecchiette with Spinach with cheese prior to baking
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with some fresh basil leaves.
    fresh basil

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 23gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 1195mgPotassium: 941mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4425IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 374mgIron: 5mg
Keyword bacon, Basil, cheese, Orecchiette Pasta, parmesan
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