Name: 60 Easy Dinner Ideas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: . Sauce and Cheese Base; 4 cups marinara sauce; 2 cups ricotta cheese; 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 teaspoon oregano; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ¾ teaspoon sea salt (more for the pasta water); Freshly ground black pepper; . Pasta and Greens; 1 pound ziti pasta; Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling); 1 pound fresh spinach; . Toppings; 1½ cups smoked mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Welcome to a delightful journey of flavors with this easy dinner idea! Perfect for busy nights, this ziti dish combines creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella for a comforting meal that everyone will love.

Tips for Success

Make sure to sauté the spinach just until wilted; this step is so satisfying and helps retain its vibrant color!

Why You'll Love It

This dish is not only delicious but also quick to assemble. You’ve got to try this one!

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish:
Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spread ½ cup marinara in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Mix the Ricotta Filling:
Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper.
Cook the Pasta:
Step 3

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
Sauté the Spinach:
Step 4

Return the pot back to the stove. Over low heat, drizzle the bottom of the pot with a little olive oil and add the spinach. Toss and sauté 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted, working in batches if necessary. Turn off the heat, remove the spinach from the pot, and gently squeeze out some of the excess water. Coarsely chop it and set aside.
Combine Ingredients:
Step 5

Add the pasta back to the pot along with the remaining marinara, most of the chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and more fresh pepper and toss until combined.
Assemble the Dish:
Step 6

Add half the pasta to the baking dish, top with dollops of the ricotta, the remaining spinach, and scoop the remaining pasta on top. Top with the mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the cheese is browned, 16 to 22 minutes.
Garnish and Serve:
Step 7

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 450, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 50g, Protein: 18g

Cooking techniques

Boiling, sautéing, baking.

Variations or substitutions

Feel free to swap the spinach for other greens like kale or Swiss chard. You can also use ricotta alternatives or add in some meat like ground beef or sausage for added protein.

Storage tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta!