Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti
A hearty baked pasta dish inspired by the coastal flavors of Baltimore, featuring a creamy tomato sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping. This italian-american-inspired sheet pan ready in about 55 minutes pairs ziti pasta, creamed spinach, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 8 oz creamed spinach
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, creamed spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, Parmesan cheese, and half of the tomato sauce mixture. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the remaining sauce over the top, then sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy, and the edges are bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ziti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baltimore Bay Baked Ziti?
Italian-American sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian-American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
