Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A hearty baked pasta dish with al dente ziti, creamy ricotta, and a tangy tomato-spinach sauce, all crowned with melted cheese. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook 12 oz ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce, 2 cups packed fresh spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until spinach is wilted and sauce has thickened.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the drained ziti, sauce mixture, 1 cup ricotta, 4 oz shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Mix until well combined.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining 4 oz shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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