Hey sweet friend! If your house is anything like mine, dinnertime is all about comfort, flavor, and feeding hungry bellies without a ton of fuss. I found this baked ziti recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks and decided to give it a little mama-style makeover—by adding ground beef for an extra hearty twist. Let me just say, the whole family devoured it!
This Three Cheese Baked Ziti with Spinach is creamy, cheesy, and baked to bubbly perfection. It’s packed with spinach (a sneaky way to get in some greens!), layers of cheese, and a delicious meat sauce that’ll have your crew asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb uncooked medium tube-shaped pasta (ziti or penne)
- 1 bag (6 oz) baby spinach, washed
- 1 jar (23 oz) Prego marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef (browned and drained)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Directions:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. During the last minute of boiling, add in the spinach. Once finished, drain everything in a colander and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- In a large bowl, mix the marinara sauce, ricotta, ½ cup of the mozzarella, ¼ cup of the Parmesan, garlic powder, black pepper, and the cooked beef. Gently stir in the drained pasta and spinach.
- Pour the mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
Why We Love This Recipe:
- Super family-friendly and kid-approved
- Great way to sneak in some spinach
- Budget-friendly and makes a big batch
- Perfect for meal prep or potlucks
Tips & Tweaks:
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage
- Add red pepper flakes for a little heat
- Mix in mushrooms or zucchini if you have extra veggies
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