Baked Ziti Florentine
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Baked Ziti Florentine, a hearty Italian-inspired casserole brimming with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and nutrient-packed spinach. Tender ziti pasta is layered with a savory blend of crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, while the ricotta-spinach mixture adds a luscious, velvety texture. Topped with gooey mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan, this oven-baked masterpiece is cooked to golden perfection, creating a bubbly, cheesy crust that’s irresistible. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, this make-ahead-friendly dish packs wholesome ingredients and bold flavors into every bite. Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal everyone will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, thawed and squeezed spinach, egg, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix until thoroughly combined.
In the greased baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti evenly over the sauce.
Spread half of the ricotta-spinach mixture over the ziti, followed by half of the remaining tomato sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta-spinach mixture, and tomato sauce.
Top the final layer with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
399 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.1 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.3 g | 51% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 883 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 23.1 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 465 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 755 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
