Baked Ziti with Spinach and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Ziti with Spinach and Cheese – a hearty, flavor-packed pasta bake that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. This recipe combines tender ziti pasta with a rich marinara sauce, savory sautéed spinach, and a creamy ricotta blend seasoned with herbs and spices. Topped with ooey-gooey layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, every bite is satisfyingly cheesy and delicious. The dish is easy to assemble, with just 20 minutes of prep, and bakes to perfection in 40 minutes, making it a family-friendly favorite. Whether you’re meal planning or entertaining, this vegetarian baked ziti is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with a crisp salad and garlic bread for the ultimate Italian-inspired feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 10 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2

Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning until smooth. Set aside.

Step 6

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, sautéed spinach mixture, and the remaining marinara sauce. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 8

Layer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then spread the rest of the ricotta mixture. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if using.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 12

Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2279.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3660.4

Total Fat 148.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 640.8mg	0%
Sodium 5509.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 421.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.2g	0%
Total Sugars 36.6g
Protein 183.8g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 3857.3mg	0%
Iron 27.9mg	0%
Potassium 2297.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 44.8%