A comforting pasta bake combining ziti, ricotta, spinach, olives, and melted cheese in a rich tomato sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 6 ounces fresh baby spinach
→ Cheese & Dairy
06 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 large egg
→ Sauce
10 - 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Olives
15 - 1/2 cup Kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - 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.
04 - Add fresh spinach to skillet and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - 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.
06 - Incorporate marinara sauce and cooked pasta into the cheese mixture, folding gently to combine evenly.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the surface.
08 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
09 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
10 - Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
