Spinach-Ricotta Baked Ziti

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

Creamy ziti layered with spinach and ricotta, topped with melted cheese—hidden nutrients for picky eaters. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 50 minutes pairs Ziti pasta, Spinach, fresh, chopped, Mozzarella cheese, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 30 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 12 oz ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 2 cups tomato sauce with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups chopped spinach, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Mix until spinach is evenly distributed.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the tomato sauce mixture. Add half of the cooked ziti, then half of the spinach-ricotta mixture. Repeat layers with remaining ziti, spinach-ricotta, and tomato sauce.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spinach-Ricotta Baked Ziti take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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-Ricotta 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-Ricotta 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-Ricotta 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-Ricotta Baked Ziti?

Italian kid friendly 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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