Creamy Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta
A comforting and vibrant baked ziti dish featuring hearty pasta, creamy ricotta, and fresh spinach, all topped with melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning
- to taste Salt & pepper
Optional Ingredients
- Optional herbs: basil, oregano
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti in boiling salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add chopped spinach, cooking until wilted; season with salt and pepper.
Assembly
- In a bowl, mix cooked ziti with marinara sauce.
- Fold in the ricotta and sautéed spinach.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half the ziti mixture, then half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat with remaining ziti and cheeses.
Baking
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, do not skip preheating the oven and allow the dish to rest before serving to help it set.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 32gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 750mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
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