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This easy baked ziti with spinach will have your family begging for seconds (and your kids won’t even complain about eating their veggies).

 

It’s not always easy to get kids to eat their veggies. I’ve even been known to be a little sneaky about it, like making zucchini noodles or turkey meatloaf with spinach and mushrooms. The kids tend not to notice as much when you bake them right into the recipe!

That’s why my girls go crazy for this and tell me it’s the best baked ziti recipe they’ve ever tasted. Okay, it may be the only baked ziti they’ve tasted but still, a compliment is a compliment, right?

Easy Baked Ziti

I love making this baked ziti with spinach, zucchini and mushrooms but you can switch it up and add any veggies you like. We also add ground turkey but you can leave that out if you like your baked ziti vegetarian style.  

Start by chopping the veggies and parsley. Set the parsley aside for later.

Put the pasta on the stove to boil. While your waiting for the pasta, saute the zucchini.  

After sauteing the zucchini for three minutes, add the spinach and mushrooms and saute for another two minutes.   

Remove from heat and brown the ground turkey.  Drain and pour into a mixing bowl, then add the veggies. 

Stir in garlic and herbs.

Add pasta sauce and stir well.

Take a couple of spoonfuls for the sauce and cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 glass pan or casserole dish.

Add 1/2 of your ziti, 1/2 of the remaining meat sauce, 1/2 of the ricotta.

Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella over the top.  

Repeat this step with the remaining ingredients and top with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes and let stand for five minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

This recipe is so good and my family always wants seconds. The best part is that you’ll probably have leftovers so you’re off dinner duty the next night. You’re welcome!

My girls love this ziti recipe and happy kids make for a happy mom! 

It’s so good your family will be asking for seconds. 

Baked Ziti With Spinach, Zucchini and Mushrooms

Yield:
12

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

The kids will love eating their veggies when you serve this delicious baked ziti with spinach, zucchini and mushrooms

Print

Ingredients

• 1 box, 1 lb ziti
• 2 24 oz jars pasta sauce
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 medium zucchini
• 2 cups spinach
• 4 oz mushrooms
• 3 tblsp parsley, 1 for garnish
• 8 oz part skim ricotta cheese
• 2 cups part skim mozzarella shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Cook ziti according to package
3. Chop zucchini, spinach, mushrooms and parsley.
4. Set parsley aside.
5. Sautee zucchini in olive oil for three minutes. Add spinach and mushrooms and sautee for two additional minutes.
6. Cook ground turkey and pour into large bowl.
7. Add sauteed mixture, parsley, oregano, basil, garlic and pasta sauce. Stir.
8. Cover the bottom of a 9×13 glass pan (or casserole dish) with a thin layer of the meat & veggie mixture.
9. Add 1/2 of the cooked ziti.
10. Next, add 1/2 of the remaining meat & veggie mixture.
11. Add 1/2 of the ricotta.
12. Add 1/2 of the mozzarella.
13. Repeat.
14. Top with parmesan cheese.
15. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
16. Garnish with extra parsley.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving:

Calories: 160 Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 41mg Sodium: 554mg Carbohydrates: 7g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 3g Protein: 18g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook baked ziti?

Because the ground beef and pasta are pre-cooked, you’re really just heating everything up and melting the cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes and you’re good to go.

Can you freeze baked ziti?

We freeze this baked ziti all the time. I just take what’s left over and cut it into individual servings, then put in freezer bags. They’re good for up to a month. They may even be good longer than that but a month is the longest we’ve ever frozen them.

How do you reheat baked ziti?

We just reheat our baked ziti in the microwave. However, you can always sprinkle more cheese over the top and reheat in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350.

What meat can you add to baked ziti?

We usually make our ziti with ground turkey but you can also use regular ground beef, ground chicken or sausage.

Can you make baked ziti ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this the night before, cover tightly with plastic wrap and bake the next day (makes life so easy!)

If you have trouble getting your kids to eat their veggies, just give this easy baked ziti a try!

If you liked this recipe, you can find more delicious main courses here or check out the recipes below…

Mushroom & Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers

 

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos

Turkey Meatloaf With Spinach, Feta And Mushrooms

 

The post Easy Baked Ziti With Spinach, Zucchini & Mushrooms appeared first on Fun Money Mom.

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