Creamy Artichoke Pasta Bake (Printable)

Creamy casserole with tender pasta, spinach, artichoke hearts, and Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in 50 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
03 - 4 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
11 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Topping

14 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a large baking dish with capacity of approximately 2 quarts.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in artichoke hearts and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - In a saucepan, heat heavy cream and whole milk over medium-low heat. Stir in grated Parmesan, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook while stirring until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth, approximately 3 minutes.
06 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, and cream sauce. Mix thoroughly and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
07 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter. Distribute evenly over the casserole. Top with additional grated Parmesan if desired.
08 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It uses pantry staples and comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The golden breadcrumb topping adds a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy interior.
  • Leftovers reheat perfectly, sometimes tasting even better the next day.
  • Its fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a tired Tuesday night.
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by a minute or two because it continues cooking in the oven and you do not want it turning mushy.
  • Do not skip draining the artichokes well, excess liquid will make your sauce thin and watery instead of creamy.
  • If your sauce looks too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen it before baking.
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre grated, the texture is smoother and the flavor is sharper.
  • Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water before draining, it is the best tool for adjusting sauce consistency.
  • Let the baked casserole rest for five full minutes before serving, the sauce thickens as it cools and makes serving much neater.
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