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Close-up bowl of vegetarian baked ziti with spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan in rich tomato sauce.

Vegetarian Easy Baked Ziti with Spinach & Three Cheeses

This Vegetarian Easy Baked Ziti layers tender pasta with spinach, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and parmesan in a rich marinara sauce. It bakes to a golden, bubbly top in about 45 minutes and serves 4—perfect for a cozy, weeknight meatless pasta bake.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Italian- American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g 9 oz ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese low-moisture
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or 1 cup frozen, thawed and well-squeezed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning oregano + basil mix
  • ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain.
  2. Sauté spinach: In a skillet, heat olive oil, add garlic, and cook spinach until wilted (or stir in thawed, squeezed spinach). Season lightly.
  3. Mix filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, half of the parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. Assemble: Toss pasta with marinara. In a 9x9-inch baking dish, layer half the pasta, spread ricotta-spinach mixture, then add the rest of the pasta.
  5. Top: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 190°C / 375°F for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  7. Serve: Rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and enjoy warm.