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–+ servings

What Makes Perfect Dinner Ideas? Try This

This recipe offers a delicious and straightforward approach to creating a satisfying dinner, perfect for busy home cooks. It focuses on fresh ingredients and simple techniques to deliver a flavorful meal without the fuss.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Ziti
  • 4 cups marinara sauce 32 ounces
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound fresh spinach
For the Ricotta Mixture
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese 16 ounces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt more for the pasta water
  • Freshly ground black pepper
For Assembly
  • Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • 1 1/2 cups smoked mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Medium bowl
  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of fresh black pepper.
  3. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta.
  4. Return the pot to the stove over low heat. Drizzle the bottom of the pot with a little olive oil and add the fresh spinach. Toss and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. If needed, work in batches. Turn off the heat, remove the spinach from the pot, and gently squeeze out excess water. Coarsely chop the spinach and set it aside.

Notes

This recipe is a simplified version of baked ziti, focusing on fresh spinach and a flavorful ricotta mixture. You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before baking for an even quicker weeknight meal.

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