Spinach Ricotta Baked Ziti
Spinach Ricotta Baked Ziti
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Ricotta and Spinach Filling
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Assembly
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, your favorite brand
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for topping
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 rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, squeezed dry spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon 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 the cooked ziti pasta to the bowl with the ricotta mixture and stir gently to combine, ensuring the pasta is coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Spoon half of the pasta and ricotta mixture over the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Top with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Spread another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the mozzarella layer. Then, add the remaining pasta and ricotta mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spinach Ricotta Baked Ziti
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Ricotta and Spinach Filling
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Assembly
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, your favorite brand
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for topping
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 rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, squeezed dry spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon 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 the cooked ziti pasta to the bowl with the ricotta mixture and stir gently to combine, ensuring the pasta is coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Spoon half of the pasta and ricotta mixture over the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Top with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Spread another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the mozzarella layer. Then, add the remaining pasta and ricotta mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
⏱️ 5 min