Best 10 Spinach Ziti Recipes

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Spinach ziti is a flavorful and delightful dish made with tender ziti pasta coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce infused with the vibrant flavors of spinach. It's a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences, making it a perfect choice for both casual family meals and special occasions. Whether you prefer a light and creamy sauce or a rich and cheesy one, there are countless variations of spinach ziti recipes to explore, each offering a unique combination of textures and flavors. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the best spinach ziti recipes, helping you find the perfect dish to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your culinary cravings.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES



Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes image

Offer this simple, hearty dish with a green salad, crusty garlic bread and a light red wine, like Beaujolais.

Provided by Carmela M. Meely

Categories     Pasta     Tomato     Bake     Mozzarella     Sausage     Spinach     Bon Appétit     California

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 28-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked
8 cups ready-to-use spinach leaves (about 2/3 of 10-ounce package)
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
  • Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes.

BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND SPINACH



Baked Ziti With Sausage Meatballs and Spinach image

Baked ziti is meant to feed a crowd, and this one surely does. "Cheater" meatballs made with uncased Italian sausage are strewn throughout the sauce for heft, and baby spinach lends a pop of color. Because ricotta has a tendency to dry out when baked, crème fraîche is added to ensure a more velvety texture, but sour cream thinned out with a little heavy cream works just as well. The whole dish can be assembled and baked ahead the day before. Bring it to room temperature before warming, then broil right before serving for crisp edges.

Provided by Colu Henry

Categories     dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 1h45m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound sweet Italian sausage (pork, turkey or chicken), casing removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
2 (28-ounce) cans whole San Marzano tomatoes with their juices
5 ounces baby spinach
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound ziti, penne or other short, tubular pasta
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta
7 ounces crème fraîche (about 1 scant cup)
1 cup grated pecorino
3/4 pound fresh mozzarella, cut or torn into 1/2-inch pieces

Steps:

  • Using your hands, shape the sausage into about 35 (1-inch) meatballs.
  • In a deep 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Working in two batches, fry the meatballs until golden all over, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan or platter. Cook the onion until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet, gently crushing them. Stir in the meatballs, bring to a simmer and cook, 20 minutes. Gently fold in the spinach, tossing until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain pasta.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, crème fraîche and half the pecorino. Season with salt and pepper. Stir half the meatball sauce into the ricotta mixture. Add pasta and toss together to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that's at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Top with the remaining meatball sauce, the mozzarella and the remaining pecorino. Place uncovered baking dish on a sheet tray and bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Turn heat to broil and cook until the cheese and pasta brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't walk away; the cheese can burn very quickly!) Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 567, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 906 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND VEAL



Baked Ziti with Spinach and Veal image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 bundles farm spinach, trimmed, washed and dried, chopped
Salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground veal
1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
2 large shallots or 1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 to 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons very thinly sliced fresh sage (a small handful of leaves)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dry white wine or chicken stock-in-a-box
1 pound ziti, whole wheat pasta or whole grain ziti
4 tablespoons butter
3 rounded tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups milk
Freshly grated nutmeg, to your taste
About 1 1/2 cups grated Italian fontina (recommended: Fontina Val D'Aosta or 6 ounces Gruyere cheese)
About 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil for pasta.
  • In the skillet heat the olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ground veal and lightly brown and crumble, then add the chopped carrot, shallots, garlic, and sage and season with salt and a little pepper and cook to soften carrots and onions, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, add the wine and turn the heat down a bit to simmer gently.
  • Meanwhile, drop the pasta in salted water and undercook by 2 minutes from package cooking directions.
  • In a saucepot over medium to medium-high heat, add butter and melt, whisk in the flour for 1 minute then whisk in the milk, bring to a bubble and season with more salt than pepper and a few grates of nutmeg. When the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon taste and adjust nutmeg and pepper to your liking.
  • Add the spinach to the veal until it is wilted and incorporate, then stir together the pasta, veal mixture, and sauce. Pour the mixture into a casserole and top with the cheeses. Cool, cover and store for a make-ahead meal.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place the casserole on a baking sheet to catch the drips and bake in a hot oven until brown and bubbly, 35 to 45 minutes if reheating, 15 to 20 minutes, if not.

HERBY SPINACH AND MUSHROOM BAKED ZITI



Herby Spinach and Mushroom Baked Ziti image

Traditional baked ziti is gussied up with cremini mushrooms, baby spinach and lots of basil and parsley.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 15-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
4 large sprigs fresh basil plus 1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
6 cups baby spinach
1 pound dried ziti
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs and stir in the chopped basil and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Cook the ziti in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
  • Add the tomato sauce, half of both the mozzarella and Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH, SAUSAGE, AND MOZZARELLA



Baked Ziti With Spinach, Sausage, and Mozzarella image

Make and share this Baked Ziti With Spinach, Sausage, and Mozzarella recipe from Food.com.

Provided by KathyP53

Categories     Penne

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 lb hot Italian turkey sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup pesto sauce
10 ounces ziti pasta, cooked
8 ounces fresh spinach leaves, chopped (stems removed)
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 cup grated parmesan cheese (3 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, and garlic, and saute until sausage cooked through, about 10 minutes, breaking up meat with back of spoon. Add tomatoes with juice to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Lightly oil 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella, and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Mix gently until spinach is wilted. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over top. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheese melt, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 349.1, Fat 12.9, SaturatedFat 6.7, Cholesterol 50.4, Sodium 749.9, Carbohydrate 36.2, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 6, Protein 22.5

ONE-POT PARMESAN CHICKEN ZITI WITH ARTICHOKES AND SPINACH



One-Pot Parmesan Chicken Ziti with Artichokes and Spinach image

Creamy mac and cheese grows up with baby spinach, artichokes and Parmesan in this edgy version of everyone's favorite one-pot wonder.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups water
2 cans (12 oz each) evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 lb uncooked ziti pasta
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
1 can (14 oz) Progresso™ artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)
Juice of 2 medium lemons (about 2/3 cup)
2 tablespoons butter
4 cups baby spinach (5-oz package)
1/2 teaspoon pepper, if desired

Steps:

  • In Dutch oven, heat water, 1 can of the evaporated milk, the salt, garlic and pasta to simmering over medium heat. Simmer 12 to 14 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender.
  • In medium bowl, beat remaining can of evaporated milk and the cornstarch; stir in chicken and artichoke hearts. Add to mixture in Dutch oven; return to simmering, and continue to simmer 1 to 3 minutes or until thickened and mixture coats back of spoon.
  • Remove from heat; stir in half of the cheese and the lemon juice. Stir until cheese melts, then add remaining cheese (reserving 1/4 cup for serving, if desired) and butter; stir again.
  • Add spinach, and stir until wilted. Serve with reserved cheese and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540, Carbohydrate 65 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 6 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1040 mg, Sugar 11 g, TransFat 0 g

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND CHEESE



Baked Ziti With Spinach and Cheese image

This is great if you need to feed an army on the cheap! Serve with a salad and garlic bread, sure to be a pleaser!

Provided by Kristiina

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h10m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
3 eggs, beaten
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
16 ounces ziti pasta, pasta-cooked
27 1/2 ounces pasta sauce
2 teaspoons oregano
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Cook spinach as package directs, drain, cool and squeeze out well.
  • Add eggs, ricotta cheese, parm. cheese, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
  • Combine cooked ziti with sauce and oregano. Place 1/2 ziti miture in lightly greased 13X9 baking dish, layered with cheese and spinach mixture. Add remaining ziti.
  • Cover with tin foil and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minute or until bubbly.

SPINACH ZITI



Spinach Ziti image

A simple, colorful pasta dish. Serve with a tossed salad and freshly grated parmesan cheese for a great meal.

Provided by Sue H.

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 ounces ziti pasta
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
2 ounces cream cheese
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot filled with salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until tender but still firm, about 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium sized non-reactive pan, combine tomatoes and hot pepper flakes. Warm over medium-low heat, breaking up tomatoes if necessary.
  • Drain pasta and return to hot pan. Add spinach, cream cheese and nutmeg. Cook, stirring, over low heat until spinach wilts, 1-2 minutes. Pour tomato sauce over spinach ziti. Stir and toss gently to mix.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195.8 calories, Carbohydrate 32.7 g, Cholesterol 10.4 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 6.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 193.5 mg, Sugar 3.9 g

BAKED ZITI WITH CHORIZO AND SPINACH RECIPE - (4/5)



Baked Ziti with Chorizo and Spinach Recipe - (4/5) image

Provided by teresafu

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound package ziti or penne
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
3 chorizo sausages (dry-cured), sliced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup dry white wine
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 (680 ml) jar puréed tomatoes
1 (5 ounce) bag baby spinach
1 small bunch basil, roughly chopped
1 pound boccocini or substitute mozzarella, cubed
1 cup grated provolone cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnishing

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Oil a large 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta. Cook until just al dente. Drain. Meanwhile, heat Dutch oven or large saucepan oven over medium heat. Add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onions, peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until they start to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes until start to soften. Add sausages and oregano. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine. Let reduce for 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Let simmer until flavours marry, about 5 minutes. Add pasta, spinach, basil and boccocini. Toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with grated provolone cheese. Bake, uncovered, until browned and bubbly, about 35 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

LOW FAT BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH



Low Fat Baked Ziti with Spinach image

This recipe comes from SkinnyTaste- one of my new favorite websites. I didn't have ziti-so I used penne pasta. I also didn't have frozen spinach, but I had fresh and it turned out great. For a low fat pasta, this is still rich and satisfying. Nutrition: 331 calories a serving, 7 grams of fat.

Provided by Kelli Thomas

Categories     Pasta

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb high fiber ziti pasta
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1 tsp olive oil
3 clove garlic, minced
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed (feel free to substitute fresh)
1 tsp oregano
2 Tbsp basil
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz fat free ricotta cheese
1/4 c parmesan cheese
2 c part skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 375. Cook the pasta according to package, to al dente. Drain pasta and return to pot.
  • 2. Heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic. Add the spinach and cook until wilted (if using fresh). Add the crushed tomatoes, Salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Heat through.
  • 3. Add the sauce to the pot with the pasta. Stir in the ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and the Parmesan cheese. Place the pasta into a greased with cooking spray 13 x 9 pan. Top with remaining mozzarella. Bake for 30 minutes or until mozzarella is melted and edges are just beginning to brown.

Tips:

  • To make the creamiest sauce, use a combination of heavy cream and whole milk. You can also use all heavy cream, but it will be richer.
  • Fresh spinach is best for this recipe, but you can also use frozen spinach. If using frozen spinach, thaw it and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible before adding it to the sauce.
  • To prevent the ziti from sticking together, cook it in a large pot of boiling salted water. Stir the pasta occasionally while it is cooking.
  • If you don't have a baking dish, you can use a large skillet. Just make sure that the skillet is oven-safe.
  • Top the ziti with extra Parmesan cheese before baking it. This will give the dish a golden crust.

Conclusion:

This spinach ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover spinach. The creamy sauce, tender ziti, and melted cheese make this dish a hit with everyone who tries it. Serve it with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.

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