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Cheesy Baked Ziti Delight with Spinach

Cheesy Baked Ziti Delight with Spinach: Comfort Made Easy

Cheesy Baked Ziti Delight with Spinach is a comforting dish that combines pasta, cheese, and nutritious spinach for a delightful family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Ziti pasta Can swap for penne
For the Spinach Mixture
  • 4 cups Fresh spinach Kale or Swiss chard are alternatives
  • 3 cloves Minced garlic Fresh preferred over pre-minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning Fresh herbs can elevate flavor
For the Sauce and Cheese
  • 24 oz Marinara sauce Homemade or store-bought options are good
  • 15 oz Ricotta cheese Cottage cheese can be a lighter substitute
  • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese Low-fat mozzarella can lighten the dish
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese Nutritional yeast is a vegan alternative
For Seasoning and Baking
  • 1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp Pepper Adjust to taste
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil For greasing the baking dish
Optional Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Fresh basil leaves For garnish before serving

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook ziti pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, sautéed spinach and garlic, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix until well coated.
  5. Spread half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish and sprinkle with half of the grated Parmesan. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  7. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Adjust baking time if starting from cold.

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