Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Comforting baked ziti pasta layered with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and a robust tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, and garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz ziti pasta until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Step 3: Stir 4 cups chopped fresh spinach into the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and bright green.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomato-spinach sauce, and 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese. Mix gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and half of 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Layer the remaining pasta on top and finish with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving.