Easy Baked Ziti with Spinach and Smoked Mozzarella Recipe
This Easy Baked Ziti recipe combines tender pasta, creamy ricotta, flavorful marinara sauce, and fresh spinach, all topped with melted smoked mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection, it's a comforting Italian-American classic perfect for any weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 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
- 1½ cups grated smoked mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and spread ½ cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Mix Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, minced garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and several grinds of fresh black pepper until well mixed.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Spinach: Return the empty pot to the stove over low heat. Drizzle a little olive oil in the bottom, add spinach in batches, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted. Remove spinach from the pot and gently squeeze out excess water. Coarsely chop and set aside.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta back into the pot along with the remaining marinara sauce, most of the chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and additional fresh black pepper. Toss gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with dollops of the ricotta mixture, then the remaining chopped spinach. Add the rest of the pasta on top.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the grated smoked mozzarella and pecorino cheese evenly over the top. Drizzle with olive oil, and bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove baked ziti from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves. Serve hot for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture or substitute with shredded mozzarella if smoked mozzarella is unavailable.
- For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the marinara sauce has no meat products.
- Drain the spinach well to avoid excess moisture that can make the baked ziti watery.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
