Save to Pinterest A rustic, comforting pasta bake featuring tender ziti, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and briny olives, all enveloped in a savory tomato sauce and finished with melted cheese.
I first served this to my family on a chilly evening and it instantly became a favorite comfort dish.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 1 pound (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
- Vegetables: 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 6 ounces (170 g) fresh baby spinach
- Cheese & Dairy: 1 1/2 cups (375 g) ricotta cheese 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese 1 large egg
- Sauce: 1 jar (24 ounces/680 g) marinara sauce 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olives: 1/2 cup (80 g) Kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
- Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Cook Spinach:
- Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in cooked spinach mixture and sliced olives.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add marinara sauce and cooked ziti to the bowl. Gently fold until evenly combined.
- Assemble Bake:
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Save to Pinterest This dish always brings the family together around the table enjoying warm and hearty meals.
Required Tools
Large pot Large skillet Mixing bowl 9x13 inch baking dish Foil
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and egg. Double check cheese and pasta labels for allergen information if needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories 420 Total Fat 17 g Carbohydrates 52 g Protein 18 g per serving
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This baked ziti is perfect for weeknight dinners and makes great leftovers for lunch.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Ziti or penne pasta holds the sauce well and maintains its texture after baking, making them ideal choices.
- → Can I substitute fresh spinach with another green?
Yes, kale or Swiss chard can be used as alternatives to spinach for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- → How can I get a golden bubbly cheese topping?
Sprinkling shredded mozzarella and Parmesan on top before baking and uncovering for the last 10-15 minutes achieves a perfect golden crust.
- → Are Kalamata olives necessary for the flavor?
Kalamata olives add a salty, briny depth, but you can substitute with other black olives if preferred.
- → Is it important to cook the pasta al dente?
Yes, slightly firm pasta prevents it from becoming mushy after baking and keeps the dish's texture balanced.