Baked Ziti
Ingredients
The pasta and sauce
-
4
cups
marinara sauce
-
1
pound
ziti pasta
The cheese mixture
-
2
cups
ricotta cheese
-
1
tablespoon
lemon zest
-
2
cloves
garlic, minced
-
1
teaspoon
oregano
-
¼
teaspoon
red pepper flakes
-
¾
teaspoon
sea salt
-
1½
cups
smoked mozzarella cheese
-
¼
cup
grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
The vegetables
For cooking
-
1
tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil
-
sea salt
to taste
for pasta water
-
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Spread ½ cup marinara in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper.
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- In the same pot, drizzle olive oil and sauté the spinach until wilted, then chop and set aside.
- Combine the pasta with the remaining marinara, most of the spinach, ¼ teaspoon salt, and more pepper.
- Layer half the pasta in the baking dish, add dollops of ricotta, remaining spinach, and top with the rest of the pasta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and pecorino cheese on top, drizzle with olive oil, and bake until cheese is browned, about 16 to 22 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts (estimated)
Servings
6 to 8
Calories
400
Total fat
18g
Total carbohydrates
45g
Total protein
20g
Sodium
800mg
Cholesterol
50mg
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