Sheet Pan Ziti with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach
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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup, reserved pasta water
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they burst and release juice.
- 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.
- Step 6: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, then serve immediately.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The sheet pan method is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
So easy and delicious, I'll be making this every week.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit with my family! The roasted tomatoes and spinach made it so fresh.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
