Classic Baked Ziti with Spinach
Classic Baked Ziti with Spinach
Ingredients
For the Ziti
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce and Filling
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, good quality
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- 1 egg, large
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain the pasta, toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped fresh spinach, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In the prepared baking dish, spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Top with dollops of half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it gently. Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce over the ricotta layer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Repeat with the remaining ziti pasta, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another 1 cup of marinara sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole, then sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Baked Ziti with Spinach
For the Ziti
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce and Filling
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, good quality
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- 1 egg, large
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain the pasta, toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped fresh spinach, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In the prepared baking dish, spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Top with dollops of half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it gently. Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce over the ricotta layer.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Repeat with the remaining ziti pasta, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another 1 cup of marinara sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole, then sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden brown.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
⏱️ 10 min