This post shows you how to make baked ziti with sausage and spinach.

Looking for a baked ziti with sausage recipe? Look no further – try this delicious bake ziti with sausage and spinach!

Like pizza as pasta (at least that’s our description of it!) This truly delicious dish is whipped up in an hour or less and makes for the most cozy meal ever. We are loving how versatile it is – want to switch out the protein? easily done! want to use a different cheese? go for it! The world’s your oyster or in this case your pasta *wink*

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Easy fall dinner ideas

We love the coziness of fall and with it come the yummiest fall flavors that the season has to offer. Here are some of our absolute favorite and super easy fall dinner recipe ideas:

1. Butternut Squash Soup 
2. Pumpkin Chili 
3. Chicken & Wild Rice Soup 
4. Beef & Barley Stew 
5. Creamy Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
6. Pumpkin Mac & Cheese 
7. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie 
8. Chicken & Stuffing Casserole 
9. Baked Ziti with Sausage & Spinach 
10. Butternut Squash & Kale Lasagna
11. Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Chops 
12. Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast 
13. Apple Cider Chicken Thighs 
14. Harvest Quinoa Skillet 
15. Creamy Mushroom & Garlic Chicken Skillet 
16. Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta 
17. Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash 
18. Mushroom & Sage Risotto 
19. Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Farro Bowl 
20. Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf

Behind the Recipe: for the love of food

This baked ziti with sausage and spinach recipe was inspired by thoughts of fall. You know that feeling right at the end of summer when it starts to get cooler, and the leaves start to change? Everyone’s still hanging on to the last of the warmer days and praying for an ‘Indian summer’ We feel this dish is a transitional food between the summer and the autumn. Italian flavors reminding us of the summer sun, dining al fresco but the coziness of this dish bringing us into the warm hug of fall. 

food is better together

We love how this dish springs into action as a great go-to recipe for hosting friends and family. It’s because it’s super easy to cook up and is packed full of flavor. But you don’t need a gathering to enjoy this yummy Ziti. When you’re feeling a little nostalgic for the summer and want a comforting dish to warm you up, this really hits the spot. 

a little of this, a little of that

We’re obsessed with trying out different sausage flavor combos in this pasta dish because there’s so many variations, so many ways that you could make this dish unique to you and what you have in your pantry or cupboards. Experimenting in your cooking is where the fun’s at! 

meal prep made cozy

We like to make this ahead for the week if we can! It just makes it easier to make it part of our meal prep rotation and do you know what’s great? You can easily enjoy the leftovers the next day – what could be better? 

you do you (ziti edition)

We love to swap out the sausages for chicken or even diced beef – both are great alternatives to keep the protein ratio and maintain a yummy flavor. If you wanted to you could swap out the meat for veggie sausages for a vegetarian-friendly option. Add in some spice with chili flakes – sometimes we love to add this in if we have some in the cupboard or if we have a little more time on our hands we’ll roast some red peppers and throw them into the mix. Swap out the pasta for gluten free pasta for anyone with an intolerance. It’s so easy to adapt to what’s in your fridge when you start cooking! It’s definitely one of those dishes that can be customized to whatever you’re in the mood for (like a laid-back friend who’s open to a change of plans)  

the right meal at the right time

This baked ziti could make a great bonfire night party dish or enjoyed around a cozy campfire in early fall. While you could make this at any time of year, it definitely has that fall feeling to us. 

it’s more than just pasta

We think you will love this – super flavorsome and not to mention, super easy to make! We hope that it brings all of those last days of summer into early fall feels and that you can enjoy this yummy food with loved ones too – sharing the deliciousness. Don’t just stick to the exact recipe though, color outside the lines and experiment with the flavors and textures. Could you make a similar version of the dish as a cold pasta salad? Now that sounds like summer food!  

Aesther Cooking Pairs this recipe with

Ingredients

1 lb ziti (or penne)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, diced

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)

1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

3 packed cups fresh spinach (or 1½ cups frozen, thawed and drained)

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg (optional – for creamier ricotta layer)

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Pasta

Cook ziti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Sausage Mixture

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Once fully cooked, stir in onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and soft, about 3–4 minutes.

Add Sauce & Spinach

Pour in marinara and crushed tomatoes. Stir in oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Turn off heat.

Mix Ricotta Layer

In a small bowl, mix ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and the egg (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Assemble the Ziti

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13″ baking dish:

• Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella
• Spread a little sauce on the bottom
• Layer half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the sauce
• Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, and sauce

bake

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

Want a spicy kick? Use spicy sausages for that extra kick.

Avoid overcooking the pasta as it will finish cooking in the oven.

Using frozen spinach? squeeze out excess liquid so that it’s not too watery.

Make ahead – assemble the ziti and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hrs and then bake.

🌿 Baked ziti with sausage and spinach – Make It Your Own – Try:

• No Ricotta?
  • Swap it for cottage cheese or cream cheese – this provides a different texture too!
• 🧀 Cheese Swap
  • Swap out for fontina, provolone, or a smoky gouda to switch up the flavors.
• 🥬 Extra Veggies
  • Sautéed mushrooms, Zucchini or bell peppers make for a great veggie boost.

Baked Ziti with Sausage and Spinach

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti or penne
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage mild or spicy, casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 packed cups fresh spinach or 1½ cups frozen, thawed and drained
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg optional – for creamier ricotta layer
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

• Cook ziti in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Sausage Mixture

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up as it browns. Once fully cooked, stir in onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and soft, about 3–4 minutes.

Add Sauce & Spinach

• Pour in marinara and crushed tomatoes. Stir in oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Turn off heat.

Mix Ricotta Layer

• In a small bowl, mix ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and the egg (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Assemble the Ziti

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13″ baking dish:
• Spread a little sauce on the bottom
• Layer half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the sauce
• Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, and sauce
• Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella

Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

what goes with baked ziti

While we love baked ziti on it’s own, we also love it with:

Garlic Bread

Roasted Veggies

Green salad with vinaigrette – try our arugula salad!

FAQs

Q: Can I freeze baked ziti?
A: Definitely! Make sure that you allow it to cool down before wrapping it up super tight and then you can freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it defrost overnight before you reheat it, you can bake it from frozen but you’ll have a longer cooking time and will have to cover it in foil in the oven for longer.

Q: Can you make it vegetarian?
A: 100% yes! swap out the sausages for veggie sausages or use lentils or sautéed mushrooms as a vegetable alternative.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fats: 25g

We hope that this will become a fall fave for you!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

• 19 Delicious Pumpkin Recipe ideas
• 15 Best Bonfire Night Party Food and Drink ideas
• Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
• Pumpkin Oatmeal
• Chicken & Wild Rice Soup 

Looking for more fall recipe ideas? visit seasonal

This post shows you how to make baked ziti with sausage and spinach.