Two Layer Baked Pasta Recipe

Name: Two Layer Baked Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 5 cups cavatappi pasta; 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach, trimmed; 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained,rinsed & halved; 1 1/2 cups fontina or 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded; RED SAUCE; 1 lb ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 carrot, finely diced; 1 stalk celery, finely diced; 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup tomato paste; WHITE SAUCE; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup flour; 2 1/4 cups milk; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 pinch pepper; 1 pinch nutmeg

Servings: persons

5 cups cavatappi pasta
1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach, trimmed
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained,rinsed & halved
1 1/2 cups fontina or 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
RED SAUCE
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
WHITE SAUCE
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
2 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch pepper
1 pinch nutmeg

1
RED SAUCE: Cook ground beef in a large skillet, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
2
Drain off fat.
3
Add next 7 ingredients& cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
4
Add tomatoes& paste, bring to a boil, then reduce heat& simmer until a spoon scraped across the bottom of the pan leaves a gap that fills in slowly.
5
This should take about 30 minutes.
6
WHITE SAUCE: Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
7
Whisk in flour& cook, whisking constantly, for a minute.
8
Gradually add milk, 1/2 cup at a time, whisking constantly; continue cooking& whisking until thickened, about 15 minutes.
9
Stir in cheese& seasonings.
10
PASTA: Cook in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 8- 10 minutes or according to package directions.
11
Coarsely chop spinach, add to the pot& give it a stir.
12
Drain well.
13
ASSEMBLY: Arrange half of the pasta mixture in a 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish.
14
Spoon red sauce over top; sprinkle with artichoke hearts.
15
Top with remainder of pasta mixture.
16
Spoon white sauce over top; sprinkle with cheese.
17
Bake in preheated 375F oven until bubbly& golden, about 25 minutes.
18
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
19
If made in advance& frozen, thaw in refrigerator& add 10 minutes to cooking time.

1760

kcal

Calories

Fat

248

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 23 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 5 cups cavatappi pasta, 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach, trimmed, 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained,rinsed & halved, 1 1/2 cups fontina or 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, and more.

Yes, Two Layer Baked Pasta falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Two Layer Baked Pasta

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions