Warm Baked Ziti Ricotta Spinach

Featured in: Juniper-Warm Rustic Dinners

This warm baked ziti brings together tender pasta, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and sliced olives for a hearty and flavorful meal. Layers of savory marinara sauce mingle with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a golden finish. Preparing this dish involves cooking pasta until just al dente, sautéing onion, garlic, and spinach to infuse flavor, then combining everything before baking to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, satisfying main dish perfect for cozy dinners.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 16:20:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly Olive-Warm Baked Ziti with oozing cheese, fresh spinach, and tender pasta. Save
Golden, bubbly Olive-Warm Baked Ziti with oozing cheese, fresh spinach, and tender pasta. | junipercrumb.com

A rustic, comforting pasta bake featuring tender ziti, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and briny olives, all enveloped in a savory tomato sauce and finished with melted cheese.

This cozy Olive Warm Baked Ziti brings the family together with its hearty flavors and creamy texture that everyone loves

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 1 pound (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
  • Vegetables: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped, 6 ounces (170 g) fresh baby spinach
  • Cheese & Dairy: 1 1/2 cups (375 g) ricotta cheese, 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg
  • Sauce: 1 jar (24 ounces/680 g) marinara sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional), Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Olives: 1/2 cup (80 g) Kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced

Instructions

Product image
Rinse produce, fill pots, and clean cookware easily with flexible spray options for everyday cooking tasks.
Check price on Amazon
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
Step 2:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 3:
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Step 4:
Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 5:
In a large bowl, mix ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in cooked spinach mixture and sliced olives.
Step 6:
Add marinara sauce and cooked ziti to the bowl. Gently fold until evenly combined.
Step 7:
Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
Step 8:
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 9:
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Product image
Rinse produce, fill pots, and clean cookware easily with flexible spray options for everyday cooking tasks.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Rinse produce, fill pots, and clean cookware easily with flexible spray options for everyday cooking tasks.
Check price on Amazon
Save
| junipercrumb.com

This dish always fills our home with warmth and happiness during family dinners

Required Tools

Large pot, Large skillet, Mixing bowl, 9x13 inch baking dish, Foil

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and egg. Double check cheese and pasta labels for allergen information if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories 420, Total Fat 17 g, Carbohydrates 52 g, Protein 18 g (per serving)

A close-up shot of the savory Olive-Warm Baked Ziti, showcasing creamy ricotta and flavorful olives. Save
A close-up shot of the savory Olive-Warm Baked Ziti, showcasing creamy ricotta and flavorful olives. | junipercrumb.com
Product image
Protect hands when handling hot pans, baking sheets, and cookware while cooking or removing dishes from the oven.
Check price on Amazon

This baked ziti is sure to become a staple in your weekly meal rotation with its simple prep and delicious flavors

Warm Baked Ziti Ricotta Spinach

A comforting pasta bake combining ziti, ricotta, spinach, olives, and melted cheese in a rich tomato sauce.

Time to Prep
20 mins
Time to Cook
35 mins
Overall Time
55 mins
Created by Brooke Taylor


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Italian-American

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Info Vegetarian Option

What You'll Need

Pasta

01 1 pound ziti or penne pasta

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 6 ounces fresh baby spinach

Cheese & Dairy

01 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
02 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 1 large egg

Sauce

01 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
02 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
03 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
04 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
05 Salt and black pepper to taste

Olives

01 1/2 cup Kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced

How To Make It

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 02

Cook pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 03

Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.

Step 04

Wilt spinach: Add fresh spinach to skillet and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 05

Combine cheese mixture: In a large bowl, blend ricotta, egg, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Fold in the cooked spinach and sliced olives.

Step 06

Add sauce and pasta: Incorporate marinara sauce and cooked pasta into the cheese mixture, folding gently to combine evenly.

Step 07

Assemble and top: Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the surface.

Step 08

Bake covered: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 09

Finish baking uncovered: Remove foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.

Step 10

Rest before serving: Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tools Needed

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Allergy Warning

Double-check the ingredient list for allergens, and ask your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, and egg. Verify cheese and pasta labels for allergen details.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for informational purposes only, and not a substitute for medical guidance.
  • Total Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Proteins: 18 g