Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake

This spinach artichoke pasta bake is a tasty dinner packed with amazing veggies, creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy vegan mozzarella cheese coating on top! A completely vegan-friendly pasta with essential nutrients, gluten-free, easy to assemble the ingredients, and done in just 40 minutes! 

I love to make pasta dishes during chilly months because they make me feel warm and comfortable. Also, the recipe does not create not much of a mess. All you need to do is throw the prepared ingredients together and bake! It’s a great way to enjoy more veggies and the perfect comfort food to curl up with at the end of a busy working day. 

Also try Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip and Spinach Artichoke Potato Salad.

Try this spinach artichoke pasta bake because:

• It is filled with delicious flavors of spinach and artichoke with cheesy and creamy pasta. 
• Loaded with all the veggie goodness and tastes like heaven. You will have tons of nutrients that are beneficial for your body.   
• This recipe is vegan-friendly and gluten-free. 
• It is great to serve this recipe as a holiday meal or a weeknight meal. All kinds of eaters will love it, and even a picky eater will enjoy it. 

Is spinach good for you?

Spinach is very well known for being a versatile type of leafy green. Now you can prepare spinach in very various ways. It is available fresh or canned. It can be enjoyed in many dishes as main or side, but most importantly, it has essential nutrients which provide us many benefits. 

Spinach is filled with different types of necessary vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, C, K1, iron, calcium, and folic acid. Each of those vitamins and minerals has its health benefits capabilities. Here are some of the essential health benefits of spinach you should know,

• Antioxidants from spinach can decrease oxidative stress by killing free radicals. Free radicals are bad for us as they can cause oxidative stress and trigger accelerated aging.
• Spinach has a good amount of insoluble fiber, which can boost our health in many ways.
• Zeaxanthin and lutein found in spinach are two carotenoids that can prevent cataracts and macular degeneration in our eyes.
• SQDG and MGDG compounds of spinach are found to slow down tumor size and reduce prostate cancer risk.
• Spinach has anti-inflammatory effects, and those effects can protect and keep our brains safe.
• Spinach from nitrates assists in maintaining moderate blood pressure. 

What is artichoke?

The artichoke is an immature flower bud that is eaten as a vegetable. It is an easy vegetable to prepare, and you will need to do some work to get the edible parts of the plant. 

The base of the leaves and the innermost part of the leaves are tender, and you can eat them. Under the choke, you will get the heart, then the stem. The heart is the meatiest part of the artichoke, and the stem is also edible. 

Artichoke is one of the world’s oldest foods, and today it’s available in the U.S. and growing primarily in California. 

Before eating, you need to cook an artichoke, mostly by boiling, baking, braising, grilling, microwaving, or roasting. Steaming the whole artichoke is the simplest and most efficient way to cook it. It’s also a popular cooking procedure. I have used the meaty heart in this recipe, which turns into soft creamy flesh once cooked.      

Health benefits of artichoke:

• Artichoke contains a good amount of protein, and those who eat plant-based protein have a reduced risk of any heart diseases. 
• Artichoke has fiber that helps our body keep full, aids proper digestion, and offers a long-time benefit. 
• They are rich in inulin, which is a special form of fiber. It helps to reduce gastrointestinal issues like constipation and boost our immunity system. 
• Artichoke is naturally high in polyphenols, which can help our body repair cell damage that harms our immune function. 
• It is an excellent source of folate known as vitamin B, which is beneficial to reduce inflammation that causes allergies and asthma. Also, you can have this during your pregnancy. 
• No food compound can not help you drop some extra pounds, so having artichoke will help you maintain a healthy body weight.   
• It may help our body to lower the level of blood pressure. 
• Certain antioxidants in artichokes, for example rutin, quercetin, silymarin, and gallic acid, can help our body with anticancer effects. 

Canned vs. frozen artichoke hearts:

If you store the artichoke hearts in the freezer after defrosting separately, they are closely similar to the canned version. Both feel similar, but are softer and creamier than a fresh artichoke heart. You only need to know if they affect your recipe’s texture. 

I mostly recommend using the frozen version if the fresh artichoke is not available. Because it is best for preparing pasta, stews, casserole, roasting, and even sautéed. 

What is penne pasta?

Penne is a tube-shaped pasta that came from a region in Southern Italy named Campania. It is commonly found in any grocery stores and markets that stock pasta. The penne comes from the Italian word for “pen,” which resembles the end of the tip of a quill pen.  

Like other kinds of pasta, you can find penne pasta in different varieties. Whole and white wheat versions are available, and you can also get gluten-free options made from rice, corn, and other ingredients. Many producers prepare flavored varieties like spinach or sundried tomatoes. 

The best penne is usually prepared with durum wheat, a cultivar known for its hardness and flexibility. This type of penne usually stays hard and resilient in the whole cooking process, even if you cook it slightly overcook it. But some kinds of pasta are prepared from a softer wheat which makes them fall apart if you overcook them.  

Dried pasta is perfect as long as it is stored in a dry and cool place. If the penne pasta is not exposed to moisture, it will be perfectly usable for your upcoming dishes. It is a popular pasta shape; even a picky eater will have this little fun on their plates.  

How to make homemade vegan cream cheese? 

It is ridiculously easy to prepare with whole food ingredients, and it tastes pretty amazing, too! As a vegan, I miss cream cheese more than anything, even though I heard that some people couldn’t replace or give up cheese. That is why I got you covered! Follow these perks of preparing cream cheese at your home today! 

• Soak the ½ cup of cashews overnight in cool water in the refrigerator, or about half an hour in hot water. The longer you soak the cashews in the water, the creamier it will turn into! 
• Rinse and drain the soaked cashews in the blender or food processor. Add ½ cup of unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon salt. 
• Start combining the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy. Stop halfway to scrape the sides of the blender if needed. Transfer the mix to a bowl, add some dried dill or chopped chives, and stir it in. 
• You can store it in the refrigerator so that it will have a firmer texture. 

How to make Italian Seasoning at home? 

Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs and spices, creating a perfect addition to your pasta sauce. This mildly flavored seasoning is a perfect balance of herbs and spices. The best part of preparing spices at home is you know what you are consuming as many pre-made spices are pretty high in salt. 

To make homemade Italian seasoning you will need to assemble the ingredients, 

• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Now combine all the ingredients together in a container and shake the container to mix them well. It will stay fresh in the airtight container for up to 6 months and keep them in a cool dark place. 

Substitutes for mayonnaise:

Mayonnaise is a common kitchen staple that has a creamy, tangy taste that works perfectly with any dish. 

• Use vegan sour cream for the recipe, and you can simply swap an equal amount with the mayonnaise. 
• Pesto is a popular sauce that is created from pine nuts, garlic, basil, and olive oil. 
• Tahini is a popular sauce made from sesame seeds which is an excellent way to add extra nutrients. 

Spinach artichoke pasta bake recipe:

• Penne pasta 
• Avocado oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Vegan cream cheese
• Vegan mayonnaise
• Coconut milk
• Nutritional yeast flakes
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Parsley, chopped
• Italian seasoning
• Sea salt
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• Vegan shredded mozzarella 

Scroll down for the full ingredient list and recipe!

How to make spinach artichoke bake?

• Bring a large pot of water to boil in a large pot. Add pasta and cook until tender, according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven 425℉. Brush or lightly spray a 9×13 casserole pan with oil.
• Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, constantly stirring for about a minute.
• Add vegan cream cheese, vegan mayonnaise, coconut milk, nutritional yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook for another minute.
• Stir in marinated artichoke hearts and pasta to coat with the sauce.
• Spoon pasta into a prepared casserole pan, topped with the vegan mozzarella, and bake for 30 minutes.
• When they are perfectly golden brown and bubbling, take them out from the oven and allow them to sit for 5 minutes before serving. 

How long to bake pasta? 

If you are using pre-cooked pasta for the recipe, the pasta baking time will need at least 20 to 30 minutes or until it is hot and golden brown. If you are using raw pasta for the recipe, you need to bake for at least 35 to 45 minutes until the pasta is cooked properly. 

Can I prepare pasta ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare it ahead of time, and then you can wrap it in foil paper and put it in the fridge for at least 2 days. The casserole will need 20 to 25 minutes of baking time when you reheat it.  

Do I need to bake this spinach artichoke pasta?

Nope! If you need to immediately serve the dinner on the table, you can skip baking the pasta with the mozzarella cheese. You can serve the pasta mixed with the sauce directly into bowls. 

Can I freeze pasta?

Pasta bake freezes really perfectly in the freezer. You need to keep the pasta in the foil container, cover the upper layer with parchment paper and wrap it down with the foil. You can easily transfer them from the freezer to the oven when you are ready to eat them. It will freeze for up to 4 months and bake directly until they are hot and golden brown. 

Additional tips and tricks for making this spinach artichoke pasta bake:

• You can add some spicy hot sauce or lemon juice with the sauce. You can also add some vinegar to brighten up the creamy sauce. If you want spicier pasta, you can also add some red pepper flakes. 
• If you want to use frozen spinach, then defrost it and squeeze out any excess moisture before mixing them with the pasta. 
• To use frozen artichoke hearts, you need to defrost them and squeeze out all the moisture properly. Use a kitchen towel or paper towel to do it and chop them into pieces before mixing them with the recipe.  

More delicious vegan pasta recipes:

Vegan Lasagna

Vegan Manicotti

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Penne Pesto Pasta

Vegan Rasta Pasta

Instant Pot Vegan Chili Mac

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