Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella
A comforting baked ziti dish enriched with half-and-half for a velvety sauce, layered with fresh spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 oz, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
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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, then drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 5 cups chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup half-and-half, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta, the spinach sauce mixture, 1 cup ricotta cheese, and 6 oz shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 5: Transfer pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 oz shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly on top.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with golden edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 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 Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella?
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 Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella?
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 Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella 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.
Is Half-and-Half Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
