Cheerleader’s Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A baked ziti featuring tender pasta layered with spinach, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting yet fresh dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

12 oz ziti pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp, divided salt
1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Pans + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz ziti pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, sautéed spinach and garlic, 3 cups marinara sauce, and 1 cup ricotta cheese. Stir gently until evenly mixed.
Step 4: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes on top if using.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden at the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.