Description
This Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting and delicious Italian-American casserole featuring al dente pasta baked in a tangy marinara sauce with ricotta, mozzarella, and pecorino cheeses, enhanced with sautéed spinach, garlic, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it’s a hearty, cheesy meal that comes together quickly and bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Sauce and Cheese Mixture
- 4 cups marinara sauce (32 ounces)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese (16 ounces)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt, divided
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound fresh spinach
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and sautéing
Toppings and Garnish
- 1½ cups grated mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add extra flavor.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, minced garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and several grinds of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to create a flavorful, creamy mixture.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Sauté Spinach: Return the empty pot to the stove over low heat. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into the pot and add the fresh spinach in batches if needed. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. Remove from heat, squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach, and coarsely chop it. Set aside.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta back to the pot along with the remaining marinara sauce, most of the chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti: Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dot with spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle the remaining spinach evenly over it. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and pecorino cheeses on top. Drizzle with a little olive oil for extra richness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 16 to 22 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browned to your liking.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves. Serve hot and enjoy your easy baked ziti.
Notes
- Use good-quality marinara sauce or homemade for best flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta; it should be slightly firm to hold texture after baking.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or other leafy greens if preferred.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cold.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the marinara sauce is free of meat products and use vegetarian cheese options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
