Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta
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 (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs ziti pasta, olive oil, minced 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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Stir 6 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach into the tomato sauce and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta 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 Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta?
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 Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta?
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 Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta 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.
Is Vegetarian Italian Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
