Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta
A comforting baked pasta layered with Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and creamy ricotta cheese baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, casings removed Italian sausage, roughly 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 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 spaghetti
- 1 lb, casings removed Italian sausage
- 5 oz, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 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 and cook 12 oz spaghetti for 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small pieces, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 5 oz chopped fresh spinach, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted and fragrant.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, sausage-spinach mixture, 3 cups marinara sauce, and 1 cup ricotta cheese. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, 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 Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, 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 Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, 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 Oven-Baked Spaghetti with Sausage, 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.
