Layered Baked Ziti with Spinach and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A comforting baked pasta layered with tender spinach, rich tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. This Italian Super Bowl recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, and fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "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
• 6 cups fresh spinach
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain.
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. Add 6 cups fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 24 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the spinach tomato sauce, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers with remaining ziti, sauce, and mozzarella.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden around the edges.