Quick Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach
Quick Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, large
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the marinara sauce mixture and stir to coat evenly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Top with the remaining pasta mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through. If desired, broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown crust on top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Quick Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Spinach
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, large
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the marinara sauce mixture and stir to coat evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Top with the remaining pasta mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through. If desired, broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown crust on top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 5 min