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Baked Ziti with Spinach 1

Baked Ziti with Spinach

This hearty Italian-American casserole combines the comfort of pasta with the nutritional powerhouse of spinach, creating a dish that's both satisfying and secretly nutritious. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something wholesome yet impressive.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Italian-American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 pound ziti pasta penne or rigatoni work well as substitutes

Base Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound fresh spinach roughly chopped (or 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce homemade or high-quality store-bought

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese whole milk provides creamier texture, but part-skim works too
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package directions until just shy of al dente – typically 2 minutes less than the recommended cooking time. Drain well and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the fresh spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. If using frozen spinach, ensure it's completely thawed and excess moisture is squeezed out before adding to the pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and beaten eggs. Add the dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Add the cooked pasta and spinach mixture to the cheese mixture. Gently fold everything together until well combined.
  • Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Add the pasta mixture on top, then pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  • Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, undercook pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce if needed.
The dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 24gFat: 19gSodium: 680mgFiber: 4gCalcium: 380mgIron: 3.5mg
Keyword Baked Ziti, Spinach, Pasta Bake, Comfort Food, Casserole
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