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Homemade Creamy Roasted Garlic Spinach Ziti photo

Creamy Roasted Garlic Spinach Ziti

This Creamy Roasted Garlic Spinach Ziti is a cheesy, comforting pasta bursting with roasted garlic and fresh spinach. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz ziti pasta
  • 1 bulb garlic roasted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided (for roasting garlic and sautéing spinach)
  • 5 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes optional
  • fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Baking sheet for roasting garlic
  • Large skillet or sauté pan for cooking spinach and sauce
  • Mixing bowl for combining cheeses and cream
  • Colander for draining pasta
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Roast the Garlic
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then wrap it tightly in foil. Roast for about 30–35 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden. Once cooled, squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins and set aside.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 12 oz of ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
Sauté the Spinach
  1. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted—this should take about 3–4 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Prepare the Creamy Sauce
  1. Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the heavy cream to the skillet with the spinach, then stir in the roasted garlic, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine everything into a smooth, creamy sauce. If it feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
  1. Add the cooked ziti to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy roasted garlic spinach sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to your liking.
Finish with Cheese and Garnish
  1. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top. Let it melt gently in the warm skillet or pop the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes to get a bubbly golden layer on top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Roast the garlic ahead of time to save prep time when cooking the dish.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.
  • Use fresh herbs for garnish to add brightness just before serving.
  • For a low-carb version, swap ziti for zucchini or shirataki noodles.