Dry Beans, Weekend Dinner, Weeknight Dinner, Winter

Winter Baked Ziti

A true classic! Delicious and cheesy. Perfect for chilly winter days.

Print Recipe

Winter Baked Ziti

Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Midwest
Keyword: Casserole, Pyrex
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 392kcal

Equipment

  • 2.5 QT Pyrex / baking dish

Ingredients

Beans

  • ¾ cup dry white bean Cassoulet, marcella
  • Bay leaf

Ziti

  • ½ lb pasta short tubes or other small shape
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 medium carrots diced
  • 1 serrano diced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp miso optional
  • 6 cups spinach rough chopped
  • 6 oz ricotta
  • 8 oz mozzarella grated
  • 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

Beans

  • Make the beans. Best method: rinse the beans and cover with about 1 liter water and around 10g salt, for a 1% saline soak. Soak for 4-8 hours. Drain and then add to a pot along with fresh water. Add bay leaf and any other seasonings. Bring to a boil for about 3-5 minutes and then turn down to a low simmer and cook for 20-45 minutes, depending on the bean. Remove from heat and drain once beans are tender and creamy.
    ¾ cup dry white bean, Bay leaf

Baked Ziti

  • Start the water boiling for the pasta and cook according to package instructions until just al dente or even a little under-cooked. Do not overcook as it will soften further.
    ½ lb pasta
  • Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tbsp olive oil to medium. Add the onion, garlic, carrots and serrano pepper. Cook until softened.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic, 3 medium carrots, 1 serrano
  • Add the 3 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp miso, if using, and stir until it’s combined and starting to darken.
    3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp miso
  • Add the 28oz can crushed tomatoes and cook until it starts to bubble a little. Then turn off the heat and add in the cooked pasta and beans and spinach. Mix well.
    28 oz crushed tomatoes, 6 cups spinach
  • Add in the ricotta and about half of the mozzarella.
    6 oz ricotta, 8 oz mozzarella
  • Pour into a large (2.5qt) round baking dish, like a Pyrex. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the lid, put the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
    8 oz mozzarella, 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Notes

Serves about 6

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 1414mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 8883IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 442mg | Iron: 6mg
Nutrition Facts
Winter Baked Ziti
Amount Per Serving
Calories 392 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 896mg39%
Potassium 1414mg40%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 8883IU178%
Vitamin C 29mg35%
Calcium 442mg44%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.