The Ferguson Recipes – Recipes, Plain & Simple
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The Ferguson Recipes – Recipes, Plain & Simple
The Ferguson Recipes

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Easy Baked Ziti 🌄 💤
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Easy Baked Ziti
Easy Baked Ziti
{Serving suggestion only*}
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Indulge in this irresistibly comforting baked ziti that brings together layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta mixed with aromatic garlic and lemon zest, vibrant fresh spinach, and a generous blanket of melted smoked mozzarella. This crowd-pleasing casserole transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary family dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. The combination of tangy marinara sauce, herb-infused ricotta, and perfectly wilted spinach creates a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly easy to master at home. With its golden, bubbly cheese topping and fresh herb garnish, this baked ziti delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it an instant favorite for pasta lovers of all ages. - Claude
No Jump Zone
Ingredients
4 cups (32 oz) marinara sauce
2 cups (16 oz) ricotta cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 tsp sea salt, more for the pasta water

(continued in the next column ↗️)

Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb ziti pasta
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1 lb fresh spinach
1 1/2 cups grated smoked mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh parsley and/or torn basil leaves, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Spread 1/2 cup marinara in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain.
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.
Add the pasta back to the pot along with the remaining marinara, most of the chopped spinach, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and more fresh pepper and toss until combined.
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 with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Servings\Yield
Serves 6 people
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Per Serving (based on 6 servings) - Calories: 685; Total Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 15g); Cholesterol: 75mg; Sodium: 1240mg; Total Carbohydrates: 78g (Dietary Fiber: 6g, Sugars: 12g); Protein: 35g; Calories from Fat: 252 (37%)
*Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate only. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients, and is based on available nutrient data. Variations may occur based on ingredient brands and preparation methods.
🧑‍🍳 The Cook:  Dave Ferguson 🔑 Keywords: ziti, pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, italian
🗂️ Categories: 🍝 Italian, 🍝 Pasta Dishes, 🥘 Casseroles, 🍽️ Dinner
📚 Collections: Uncle Dave's Cookbook, The TFR Cookbook
Easy Baked Ziti was added on August 10, 2025 and last updated on August 10, 2025.
*Serving suggestion only. 😂 If a food photo doesn't look like it was taken by a monkey named Frank, it was most likely AI generated and not the result of Frank's minimal culinary or photographic skills. Unless you failed the "I'm not a robot" test, your recipes will probably not look like the ones in the pictures. See Creamy Turkey Veggie Soup to read more about AI images.
📄 A Quick Note About The Recipes At The Ferguson Recipes: We love sharing recipes, but please be aware that most haven't been professionally tested in our kitchen or independantly verified. Your safety is important to us, so always practice safe food handling and cooking techniques. Cook smart and use your best judgment! Eggs: If you make a recipe that uses raw eggs, please consider using pasteurized eggs. Allergens: Food allergens have not been identified in each individual recipe. Please use caution if you have any food allergies. Have questions about a specific recipe? Feel free to reach out to us.
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📄Recipe Disclaimer: While The Ferguson Recipes strives to present reliable and delicious recipes, please note that most of the recipes on this site have not undergone rigorous testing or independent verification. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you always follow standard food safety guidelines when preparing any dish. Eggs: If you make a recipe that uses raw eggs, please consider using pasteurized eggs. Allergens: Food allergens have not been identified in each individual recipe. Please use caution if you have any food allergies. If you have any questions or concerns about a specific recipe, please feel free to contact us.
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