Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-13 · Updated 2026-07-13

A comforting Italian pasta bake layered with tender ziti, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and a robust tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 470 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Baking dishes worth owning for casseroles like this → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz ziti pasta for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce for 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Step 3: Stir 6 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach into the tomato sauce and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomato-spinach sauce, 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Mix well to evenly incorporate.
5. Step 5: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.