Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach
A comforting casserole of pasta baked with a rich blend of four cheeses and fresh spinach. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs ziti pasta, roughly chopped fresh spinach, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp optional red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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 minutes until just al dente; drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 4 cups chopped fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed spinach and garlic, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 4 oz softened cream cheese, 3 cups marinara sauce, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Stir until well combined.
- Step 4: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Step 5: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach?
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 Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach?
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 Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach 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 Four-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach?
Italian pasta 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.
