Description
This creamy Spinach Ziti is a hearty baked pasta dish combining tender ziti with a flavorful spinach marinara sauce and a rich, cheesy ricotta mixture. Baked to bubbly perfection with layers of mozzarella and Parmesan, this comforting casserole serves six and makes a perfect family dinner or potluck favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Cook Spinach and Sauce: Add the chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Stir in marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, and heavy cream if using. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with the spinach marinara sauce until evenly coated.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the greased baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta layer, then top with the remaining pasta mixture.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of pasta.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered and Serve: Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, omit the heavy cream or use half-and-half.
- Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen spinach—thawed and drained well—if fresh is unavailable.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
