Spinach and Artichoke dip, otherwise known as the one surefire way to get get 99% of people in the world to knowingly eat spinach or artichoke. In this case it is part of a pasta bake that will make an easy dinner. Even as a kid, spinach was part of a number of meals my mom would make (none of which I was terribly excited to eat) so spinach always had this texture of being slimy. For this dish the spinach goes in raw and bakes down into the dish. The parmesan Ritz crust adds another layer of texture and cheesiness so your kids will almost forget all the healthy greens inside.
If your kids show an aversion to the spinach in its leafy form, I suggest chopping the lettuce before adding it to the pasta. One evening my oldest was complaining about the spinach going into the pot so I added it to a food processor with the artichoke hearts and added it in with the sauce. We served “SpoooOOooOoky Green Cheesy Pasta” since it turned the cheese sauce a bright green. While it was still totally delicious, I prefer this recipe with the spinach recognizable and it also taught me that this recipe might be the kid you don’t invite your kids to help you with. The less they see the artichokes or spinach the less green sauce in your life. 😉
Also wanted to take a minute to ask how you guys are enjoying the recipes now that I have cut out a large number of the pictures from the process of cooking. Would love it if you would sound off below in the comments and let me know if you want me to go back to including more shots of the recipe being made.
Spinach Artichoke Dip Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh spinach , washed and dried
- 1 tablespoon salt , for the pasta water
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot , chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , chopped
- 6 ounces artichoke hearts , chopped
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 11/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese , divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese , at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add the salt and pasta and cook to one minute shy of what is on the box.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat and add the shallots and garlic.
Cook 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a large pot over medium to medium-high heat, add the butter and melt completely.
Whisk in the flour for 1 minute or so, then whisk in the milk, wine, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Cook for 5-7 minutes then add in the sour cream, cream cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese and mozarella cheese.
- Mix well, add the artichokes and raw spinach back in.
- Stir until spinach starts to wilt.
- Add pasta in and pour into large baking pan, 13x9 inches.
- Mix the 1/2 cup Parmesan with the cracker crumbs.
Top the pasta with the Parmesan cracker crumbs and bake for 25-30 minutes
I like both artichokes and spinach but never thought to mix them together in one dish. Your recipe sounds delicious, must try.
Thanks! We really enjoyed it!
That looks yummy. I haven’t had artichokes before, but I’m a huge fan of spinach. It’s time I try artichokes.
They’re mild and pretty much melt into the mix here! You may not even notice them in there.
That looks amazing! I bet my hubby would love to have this for dinner this weekend!
Thanks Mistee
This looks great. I like spinach and artichoke dips.
Yep, I am a sucker for them too!
Wowzer! This sounds really yummy! I bet my kids would love this too!
Thanks Aimee!
This look delicious!! My family loves pasta bakes, this is a great twist on it.
Thanks Vera! I think I have an unhealthy obsession with Spinach & Artichoke Dip, so this one was an easy alternative to come up with, haha.
This looks AMAZING!!
Thanks Marlynn!
This sounds super good! Such great comfort food, yummy!
Thanks Kimberly! It really is!
Oh my goodness, I love this. That is one of my favorite dips, so I am sure I would love it in a bake. Thanks so much for sharing. YUMMY
My pleasure Shauna!
Yum. This looks so good, I would love to give it a try. I’ve never tried artichoke before. This looks like a great way to try!
Oh its awesome! I hope you love it!
Yum! I see a new addition to my Thanksgiving spread this year. Thanks so much for sharing this.
My pleasure!
Oh. So. Yummy. I absolutely cannot wait to make this. I love spinach artichoke dip, and bakes are always a winner!
Thanks Jennifer!
My kids won’t touch this with a ten foot pole, but that just means more for me 😉
Haha, I was surprised, my toddler loved it!
Oh my gosh this looks SO good. I love artichokes! I need to add this to my list of meals to try to my menu plans for the week!
Wonderful! I hope you love it!
This pasta looks awesome! I’m a huge spinach and artichoke dip fan so this will have to be tried soon!
Hope you love it Paige!