Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A one-pan pasta dinner featuring tender ziti roasted until crisp, layered with sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach in a creamy ricotta sauce. This italian-inspired sheet pan ready in about 40 minutes pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 12 oz ziti with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Spread ziti in a single layer on a large sheet pan and roast for 15 minutes, then stir and roast for 10 more minutes until golden and crisp.
  3. Step 3: Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they burst and release juice.
  5. Step 5: Remove roasted ziti from oven. Add tomato mixture, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the sheet pan. Toss until spinach wilts and cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, then serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach?

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 Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach?

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 Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach?

Italian sheet pan 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.

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