Baked Ziti with Spinach
User Reviews
4.7
Baked Ziti with Spinach
Description
This recipe starts by cooking ziti pasta just short of al dente, allowing it to finish cooking in the oven. Meanwhile, garlic is sautéed in olive oil before adding thawed spinach and crushed tomatoes, seasoned with fresh basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. The sauce simmers briefly to develop flavor and meld ingredients.
The sauce is mixed into the cooked pasta, then combined with ricotta, Parmesan, and half the mozzarella cheese. This mixture is transferred to a baking dish, topped with the remaining mozzarella, and covered with foil to retain moisture during baking. Baking at 375°F for 30 minutes melts the cheeses and lightly browns the edges, creating a warm, cheesy casserole with tender pasta and savory spinach-tomato sauce.
Letting the dish cool five minutes before serving helps it firm slightly for easier portioning.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta wheat or gluten-free, uncooked
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (I recommend: Tuttorosso)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 10 oz spinach thawed, frozen, in package
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp basil chopped, fresh
- kosher salt fresh, to taste
- black pepper fresh, to taste
- 8 oz ricotta cheese fat-free
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese 8 oz total) (I recommend: Polly-O, shredded, part skim
- olive oil spray ()
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil spray.
- In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to instructions until al dente (I like to under-cook it 3 or 4 minutes as it will cook more in the oven). Drain and return to pot.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add olive oil and sauté garlic. Add chopped spinach, salt, pepper and crushed tomatoes. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes.
- Add sauce to the pasta and combine. Add half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and ricotta. Mix well then transfer to the baking pan.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and cover with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and the edges are lightly browned. Let it cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 296 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 11/3 scant cups | |
| Calories | 296kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 524mg | 22% |
| Fiber | 5.5g | 22% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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