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-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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
• 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.