Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti

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

A comforting pasta dish layered with fresh spinach, melted mozzarella, and tomato sauce, perfect for simple family meals. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs ziti pasta, tomato sauce, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 oz ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir 2 cups tomato sauce, 5 oz fresh spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper into the skillet. Simmer for 3 minutes until spinach wilts.
  4. Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup tomato sauce mixture evenly. Layer 1/3 of the cooked ziti, then 1/2 of the remaining tomato sauce mixture, and 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella.
  5. Step 5: Repeat layers: 1/3 ziti, 1/2 tomato sauce mixture, 3/4 cup mozzarella, then remaining ziti and 1/2 cup mozzarella on top.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated parmesan over the top. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti?

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 Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti?

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 Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti 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 Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ziti?

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.

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