Easy Spinach Baked Ziti

SO excited to bring you guys one of my family’s favorite pasta dishes. I got the inspiration from my sister-in-law years ago and we have been hooked ever since. Baked ziti is one of the easiest yet delicious one pan meals you can fix. It is also my go-to for any time I need to bring a meal to family or friend for special occasions. Pair it with a salad and some yummy Italian bread and boom perfection! This is a meatless dish but could easily incorporate ground beef if your family are big meat eaters. It is very kid friendly and one of the ways I am able to sneak lots of spinach into my little one’s bellies. Enjoy y’all!

Easy Spinach Baked Ziti

Serves 6

Ingredients:

16 oz whole wheat penne pasta (can sub GF if needed) *remember to look for only 1 ingredient when buying pastas (Organic Durum Whole Wheat Flour)
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cups spinach, finely chopped
23.5 oz marinara sauce (I use this kind when in a hurry or don’t have homemade on hand)
fresh basil for garnish
pink salt & pepper to taste

Directions :

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta according to package.
While pasta is cooking mix in a bowl ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese(save other half for later), + a little pink salt & pepper to taste.
When pasta is fully cooked, strain all excess liquid. Mix in large mixing bowl pasta and 2 cups of marinara sauce. *This is a trick to ensure all noodles are equally covered in sauce!
Prepare a large baking dish(a little larger than a 9×13 but not too big). Pour any remaining marinara sauce into bottom of baking dish and spread evenly.
Place half of pasta/marinara mixture into dish, layer with half of ricotta cheese mixture, and top with 1 cup finely chopped spinach.
Repeat layers until last layer of ricotta is on top. Sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese until evenly covered on top.
Garnish with fresh basil. Cover with foil and bake in oven for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Enjoy and save leftovers for next day!

*Organic ingredients recommended when obtainable.