Spinach Baked Ziti Author: Two Sisters Kitchens Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 20 mins Serves: 10 A classic comfort food that is baked with spinach, ziti noodles, pasta sauce, and so many cheeses. It's easy to make and perfect for a crowd.
2cupsShredded Mozzarella cheeseFresh off the block
15ouncesRicotta cheese
1/2cupGrated parmesandivided
1Large egg
2tablespoonsFresh minced parsley
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Boil a large pot of salted water for the noodles and cook noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. Drizzle with olive oil to keep noodles from sticking together (optional).
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional minute.
Stir in the marinara sauce and spinach. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, parsley, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese.
Spread about a cup of sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the noodles and top that with the ricotta mixture and half of the remaining sauce. (For the ricotta, you can just add dollops evenly over the noodles as it likely won't spread easily).
Continue layering: remaining noodles, remaining sauce, remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake in the preheated 350℉ oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly brown on top. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
If taking the ziti from out the refrigerator, it might need 30-35 minutes to get hot and bubbly. I would also suggest covering the baking dish with aluminum foil and removing for the last 5 minutes of baking so that it can get slightly brown on top.