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Baked Ziti With a Surprise 1 Layer

Baked Ziti with a Surprise Layer of Spinach
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A comforting and cheesy baked ziti recipe with a delightful hidden layer of spinach, making it a family-friendly favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, and the squeezed-dry spinach. Mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with half of the tomato sauce.
  7. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the ziti mixture.
  8. Carefully spread the spinach and ricotta mixture evenly over the ziti layer.
  9. Top with the remaining ziti mixture.
  10. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  11. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  12. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
  13. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra cheesy surprise, add a layer of mozzarella cheese between the ziti and spinach mixture.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to the sauce.
  • This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/baked-ziti-surprise-spinach-layer/