Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta
A comforting baked pasta dish layered with tender ziti, creamy ricotta, spinach, and rich tomato sauce, finished with melted mozzarella. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, minced 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
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
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 slightly under al dente, then drain.
- 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.
- Step 3: Add 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed spinach mixture, 3 cups marinara sauce, 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 5: Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella and half of 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
- Step 6: Add remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta 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 Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta?
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 Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta?
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 Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta 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 Italian Oven-Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta?
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.
