Half Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smaller baked ziti featuring tender pasta tossed with ricotta, spinach, and marinara, baked until bubbly and golden. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, chopped fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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: 25 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 6 oz ziti pasta for 7-8 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup chopped fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed spinach and garlic, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Mix gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: Spread half of 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a small baking dish. Add the pasta mixture, then top with the remaining marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.
  5. Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and 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 Half Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and 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 Half Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Portion Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach 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.

Related recipes