My kids love mac and cheese. Me? I get a little sick of it. This is a different take on it, and adult take – if you will, the ricotta cheese adds a nice creaminess. You may know ricotta from using it in lasagna.
Note: If your kids are like mine and don’t like ‘green things’ all up in their business, then just use chopped asparagus. At least that way they can take it out.
ingredients:
1 lb small pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove minced garlic
1 pkg frozen spinach (thawed and drained well)
1 cup reserved pasta liquid
2 cups ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmagian cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella
salt
freshly ground pepper
Cook pasta according to package. Reserve 1 cup of the boiling pasta liquid – you’re going to need it to add to the sauce, it helps it adhere to the pasta and makes it creamy – in case you were wondering.
While the pasta is cooking, get a large skillet on the stove. Add the olive oil and the butter. Yes, both – trust me, the flavors work together. Put the heat on low and let the butter melt a little, add the garlic and stir. Watch it so it doesn’t burn!
Add the spinach (or use asparagus, like I sometimes do) and toss, turning the heat to medium. When your pasta is done, drain and quickly add to the pan. Add the ricotta, and the cheeses, right into the pan. Turn the heat up to medium high, and stir.
Add the pasta liquid and keep stirring til creamy. Salt and pepper to taste. Me? I love the bite that a lot of FRESHLY ground pepper gives, so I say be generous.
This makes a great main dish, and I usually serve the leftovers the second day as a side dish.
Kid's lunches, simple dinners and a whole lot of geeky baking.
That looks simple and delicious! Not stuff I always have on hand (ricotta, anyway), but easy enough to find.
My favorite favorite? Probably delicious bread and sweet butter. God, I could eat a whole loaf.
Thanks for this! My son is a Kraft mac n’ cheese maniac but this looks much better. PS. I made those pineapple upside down cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday and it was a hit! Thanks a bunch!
I’m back. Made this tonight and have a couple of notes, now that I’m fully paying attention. (I paid attention to your comments before, but not to the recipe itself!)
1. My kid, who has really not been eating veggies, ate all of it, complete with spinach!
2. A pound of pasta makes a whole lot.
3. It’s almost identical to the “guts” of my baked ziti recipe. Same ingredients plus more mozzarella cheese and a large jar of sauce (or use homemade). Put half the pasta/spinach/cheese mixture in a 9×13. Pour half of sauce over. Cover with remaining pasta, then remaining sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and bake at 350. If you just made the pasta, 15 minutes (or until the cheese is melted) should do it. If you prep it earlier in the day, maybe 30 minutes, or until heated through. (Also a great casserole to bring to a friend in need!)
Very nice, mild flavor. My son ate a lot! I was worried about the spinach factor, but he seemed to enjoy it in this dish. In the past, he has had issues with ricotta, too, but I guess he is over that now. Phew! Thanks for another possible dish to make for my son that he will eat! Love the huge amount of leftovers…now to decide what to make to go with it tomorrow…??
I made this tonight and everyone loves it. The only difference is I added more mozz cheese and also added chunks of ham and broccoli. Yummy! Every recipe so far from you has been a success in my house! Thank you!!!!
I made a version of this tonight and it was wicked tasty! I fried a little fresh rosemary in the butter & oil at the start, added a little bit of crushed red pepper, a bunch more garlic and lots more salt. I had no vegetables (I was making this because I was trapped in my house due to a snow storm and I had most of the other ingredients), but other than a lower nutritional value, I don’t think the dish missed them! I also used brown rice pasta (since that’s what I had on hand). My husband and I loved it. Thanks for the inspiration!