Easy Baked Ziti

Name: Easy Baked Ziti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 to 8
Ingredients: 4 cups (32 ounces) marinara sauce; 2 cups (16 ounces) ricotta cheese; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 teaspoon oregano; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ¾ teaspoon sea salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound Ziti pasta; extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound fresh spinach; 1½ cups grated smoked mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese; Chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves

User Reviews

5.0

528 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings
6 to 8
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Italian, American

Easy Baked Ziti

Iris Warren

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This baked ziti recipe is easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd. Filled with tangy tomato sauce, al dente pasta, and three types of cheese, it's comforting and delicious.

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Ingredients

Servings

4 cups (32 ounces) marinara sauce
2 cups (16 ounces) ricotta cheese
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¾ teaspoon sea salt more for the pasta water
freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Ziti pasta
extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
1 pound fresh spinach
1½ cups grated smoked mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread ½ cup marinara in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
Return the pot back to the stove. Over low heat, drizzle the bottom of the pot with a little olive oil and add the spinach. Toss and sauté 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted, working in batches if necessary. Turn off the heat, remove the spinach from the pot, and gently squeeze out some of the excess water. Coarsely chop it and set aside.
Add the pasta back to the pot along with the remaining marinara, most of the chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and more fresh pepper and toss until combined.
Add half the pasta to the baking dish, top with dollops of the ricotta, the remaining spinach, and scoop the remaining pasta on top. Top with the mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the cheese is browned, 16 to 22 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.