Ziti with Spinach and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this baked Ziti with Spinach and Cheese recipe, a delightful twist on the classic Italian favorite. Featuring tender ziti pasta tossed with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese blend, vibrant fresh spinach, and aromatic garlic, this dish is layered with rich marinara sauce for a hearty, flavorful bite in every forkful. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it's a crowd-pleasing casserole that’s easy to prepare in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Bonus? The combination of three cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—adds an irresistibly gooey and savory texture, while optional red pepper flakes introduce a bold, spicy kick. Serve this cheesy spinach ziti alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread, and let it become a new staple in your dinner rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 units garlic cloves
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 unit egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish lightly with oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Stir in the cooked spinach and half of the cooked ziti pasta into the cheese mixture until evenly combined.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the ziti and cheese-spinach mixture on top of the sauce. Spread another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the layer.
Add the remaining ziti and cheese-spinach mixture, followed by the last cup of marinara sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Allow the ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy spinach ziti!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3603 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.5 g | 196% | |
| Saturated Fat | 68.1 g | 340% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 603 mg | 201% | |
| Sodium | 6483 mg | 282% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 396.4 g | 144% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.7 g | 124% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.3 g | ||
| Protein | 180.5 g | 361% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 3820 mg | 294% | |
| Iron | 26.0 mg | 144% | |
| Potassium | 530 mg | 11% | |
*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.
