Baked Pasta with Ricotta and Spinach Cheesy Ricotta‑Spinach Baked Ziti al Forno Ingredients: 14 oz (400 g) ziti or penne rigate 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, finely diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 10 oz (280 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped 2 cups (500 g) ricotta cheese 1 large egg 1 cup (90 g) shredded mozzarella, divided ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan, divided 2 ½ cups (600 ml) marinara sauce 1 tsp dried oregano ½ tsp dried basil ¼ tsp ground nutmeg Salt & freshly‑ground black pepper, to taste Optional garnish: fresh basil ribbons Directions: Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13‑inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water 2 minutes less than package “al dente” time. Drain; set aside. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Sauté onion 4 min until translucent; add garlic and cook 30 sec. Add spinach, season with a pinch of salt, and wilt 2 min. Remove from heat; cool slightly. In a bowl, whisk ricotta, egg, oregano, basil, nutmeg, ¼‑cup Parmesan, ½‑cup mozzarella, salt, and pepper until smooth. Fold in sautéed spinach mixture. Combine cooked pasta with marinara sauce. Spread half of sauced pasta in baking dish. Dollop and gently spread ricotta‑spinach filling over pasta. Top with remaining pasta. Sprinkle remaining ½‑cup mozzarella and ¼‑cup Parmesan on top. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 20 min; uncover and bake 10 min more until cheese is golden and bubbly. Rest 5 min, garnish with basil, and serve hot. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Baking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Kcal: 460 kcal | Servings: 6 #bakedpasta #ricotta #spinach #vegetarian #comfortfood #pastabake #weeknightdinner #italianinspired #cheesylovers #zitialforno #mealprep #familyfriendly #freezerfriendly #meatlessmonday #easyrecipes #onepanmeal #cheesebake #heartymeals #midweekmagic #ovenlove Nothing beats the cozy comfort of Cheesy Ricotta‑Spinach Baked Ziti fresh from the oven!

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Bold and Tangy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with Garlic and Basil Ingredients: 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained) 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts for variation) 2 cloves garlic 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup olive oil (plus more as needed) Salt and black pepper, to taste Directions: In a food processor, combine sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, basil, and lemon juice. Pulse until finely chopped. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a thick, spreadable paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #pesto #sundriedtomato #homemadesauce #italianflavors #garliclover #pastasauce #easyrecipes #quickcondiments #mediterranean #boldflavors #freshbasil #parmesancheese #pestosauce #umamirich #oilbasedsauce #dipspread #glutenfree #mealprep #cheeselovers #condimentgoals This Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto is bursting with flavor! Perfect on pasta, sandwiches, or even dolloped on grilled veggies. Ready in 10 mins!

Spicy Meatball and Pepper Pasta Fiery Spicy Meatball and Roasted Pepper Pasta in Zesty Tomato Sauce Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ground beef 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1 egg 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced 1 small onion, sliced 2 cups tomato passata or crushed tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 12 oz (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve Directions: In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides (about 8–10 minutes). Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onion and bell peppers until softened, about 5–6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and passata. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Return meatballs to the pan and cook for another 5–7 minutes until fully cooked through. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and toss with the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and Parmesan. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Kcal: 560 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #meatballpasta #spicypasta #pepperpasta #heartymeals #weeknightdinners #pastaandmeatballs #easycomfortfood #homemadepasta #chilipasta #zestytomatosauce #dinnerrecipes #italiandinner #spicycomfortfood #pastanight #rusticrecipes #easyfamilydinner #savoryflavors #meatballmadness #pastalovers #onepanmeals Turn up the heat This Spicy Meatball and Pepper Pasta is a bold, satisfying dish with every bite delivering fire and flavor!

Roasted Tomato and Basil Pasta Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta with Garlic, Olive Oil & Fresh Basil Ingredients: 500g (1 lb) cherry or grape tomatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed Salt and black pepper, to taste 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional) 300g (10 oz) spaghetti or linguine 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving) 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (plus whole leaves for garnish) Optional: balsamic glaze or lemon zest for finishing Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chili flakes on a baking tray. Roast for 25–30 minutes, or until tomatoes are blistered and lightly caramelized. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain. Transfer roasted tomatoes and garlic (with their oil) to a large skillet. Mash gently with a spoon to create a chunky sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a bit at a time until desired sauciness is reached. Stir in Parmesan and chopped basil. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, topped with more Parmesan, fresh basil, and an optional drizzle of balsamic glaze or lemon zest. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 3–4 servings #roastedtomatopasta #basilpasta #cherrytomatopasta #vegetarianpasta #simpleitaliandinner #ovenroastedtomatoes #freshbasilflavor #garlictomatosauce #easyweeknightmeals #pastanight #meatlessmonday #comfortfooditalian #tomatobasilmagic #quickhomemadepasta #slowroastedveggies #pastaandparmesan #rusticpasta #seasonalitalian #mediterraneandinner #pastasimplicity This Roasted Tomato & Basil Pasta is what weeknight dreams are made of Rich, garlicky, and effortlessly elegant.

Shrimp and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Garlic Shrimp and Fresh Herbs Ingredients: 250g (9 oz) penne or fettuccine 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 200g (7 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 cup roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade), drained 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon tomato paste Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley Optional: squeeze of lemon juice for brightness Directions: Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chili flakes, sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In a blender or food processor, combine roasted red peppers, cream, Parmesan, tomato paste, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Pour the blended sauce into the skillet and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Return shrimp to the pan and gently mix. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired. Serve warm. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes Kcal: 490 kcal | Servings: 2 servings #shrimpandpepperpasta #roastedredpepperpasta #creamyshrimpdish #pastaideas #weeknightpasta #shrimpincreamsauce #pastarecipes #garlicshrimp #comfortpasta #flavorfulsauce #herbypasta #easyshrimpmeal #seafoodpasta #homemadepasta #peppercreampasta #dinnerunder30 #quickpastanight #tomatopastafusion #boldpasta #simpleflavorpasta Creamy, garlicky, and vibrant This Shrimp & Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is your new favorite weeknight indulgence!