Sweet Potato Pasta Bake
Imagine a dish that combines the creamy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the savory depth of sautéed spinach, all topped with the crunch of toasted pine nuts. This Sweet Potato Pasta Bake with Spinach and Pine Nuts is not just a meal but a symphony of flavors and textures designed to delight the senses. It’s a dish that promises to elevate your culinary game, blending health with indulgence in every bite.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
35 minutes
Servings
This recipe serves 6.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes, 3 medium-sized (about 1.5 lbs or 680 grams)
- Fresh spinach, 4 cups (120 grams)
- Pine nuts, 1/3 cup (45 grams)
- Lean low-fat mince, 1 lb (453 grams)
- Ricotta cheese, 1 cup (246 grams)
- Whole wheat pasta, 12 oz (340 grams)
- Parmesan cheese, grated, 1/2 cup (50 grams)
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Garlic, 2 cloves, minced
- Salt, 1 teaspoon (5 grams)
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Water for boiling pasta
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash and slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender.
- While sweet potatoes roast, boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, brown the mince, seasoned with salt and pepper, until cooked through. Set aside.
- In a large baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by half of the mince, spinach mixture, ricotta cheese, and sweet potato slices. Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of sweet potato slices.
- Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.
This Sweet Potato Pasta Bake with Spinach and Pine Nuts is a hearty and nutritious dish that doesn’t skimp on taste. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the earthy flavors of spinach and the richness of ricotta cheese, all topped with the crunch of toasted pine nuts. A dish that’s as satisfying as it is healthy, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Nutritional Information (Approx)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 7g