Baked Spinach & Feta Pasta

4.4

(11)

9 Reviews

Feta softens in the oven before it's combined with spinach and pasta, with the pasta cooking right in the baking dish. Enjoy this one-pan pasta with feta dish on its own as a vegetarian main or serve with sautéed chicken breast for a boost of protein.

Carolyn Casner

Updated on April 10, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Baked Spinach and Feta Pasta — Photo: Jason Donnelly

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

50 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

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Ingredients

1 (5-ounce) block feta cheese
8 cups lightly packed baby spinach (about 5 ounces)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried dill
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
8 ounces penne or rotini
2 cups boiling water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place feta in the center of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until softened and starting to brown, about 15 minutes.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Meanwhile, combine spinach, oil, garlic, dill, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to massage the spinach until it's reduced in volume by half. Stir in pasta.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
After the feta has baked for 15 minutes, add the spinach and pasta mixture to the baking dish. Pour boiling water over the mixture and gently stir. Cover with foil and bake until the pasta is tender, about 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. Cover and let stand for at least 3 minutes before serving.

Equipment

9-by-13-inch baking dish

Frequently Asked Questions

Is feta healthy?

Feta cheese is a briny cheese that adds a lot of flavor to dishes. Like other cheese, it provides some protein, calcium and vitamin B12, as well as smaller amounts of other micronutrients. Because it is a saltier cheese, you probably want to use it sparingly—especially if you're watching your sodium intake. But like other types of cheese, feta can certainly fit into a healthy, varied diet.
Is spinach good for you?

The dark green color of spinach is a clue into its nutrient content. Like other dark leafy greens, it delivers a wealth of nutrients, including antioxidants fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Cooking the spinach concentrates some of its nutrients, which means you'll get even more of them per serving. Spinach has been linked with healthier blood pressure, eyes, skin and bones.
Is pasta healthy?

Yes, pasta offers complex carbohydrates for energy, plant protein, fiber, B vitamins and some iron. If you choose whole-wheat pasta, you'll bump up both the fiber and protein content.
What’s the purpose of massaging the spinach?

Massaging the spinach helps break down the vegetable's fibrous texture, leaving the leaves with a softer texture, which makes it easier to combine with the dried pasta.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S., Jan Valdez and Linda Frahm

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

394	Calories
19g	Fat
45g	Carbs
14g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/4 cups
Calories 394
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 45g	16%
Dietary Fiber 6g	21%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 14g	28%
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 7g	35%
Cholesterol 32mg	11%
Vitamin A 2458IU	49%
Sodium 480mg	21%
Potassium 286mg	6%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.