How to Make Baked Ziti with Spinach and Meat - A Step-by-Step Guide

Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a comforting family dinner. This hearty casserole is filled with layers of pasta, cheese, and a savory meat sauce, making it a delicious and satisfying meal that everyone will love. And in this recipe, we're adding a healthy twist with the addition of spinach, which not only adds extra nutrition but also a pop of vibrant green color to the dish.

While traditionally made with ricotta cheese, ou...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
  • 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 ounces baby spinach
  • 1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • salt to taste
  • 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 servings

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic in the hot skillet until beef is until browned and onion is wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • While the meat sauce is simmering, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and wilted spinach in a bowl. Season with salt.
  • Place 1/2 of the ziti in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and layer with 1/2 of the meat sauce. Spread provolone cheese on top to form a flat surface. Spread spinach mixture over top, then cover with remaining ziti and meat sauce. Top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and sprinkle mozzarella over top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let firm up for at least 10 minutes before serving.
  • Nutrition

    503 cal.

    • Total Fat: 20g
    • Saturated Fat: 10g
    • Cholesterol: 64mg
    • Sodium: 870mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 50g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Total Sugars: 13g
    • Protein: 29g
    • Vitamin C: 11mg
    • Calcium: 457mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 801mg