Baked Ziti with Sausage & Spinach
In this Baked Ziti with Sausage & Spinach, spicy Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a tomato-pesto sauce are tossed with penne or ziti noodles for a flavorful, unique spin on the classic baked ziti recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spicy Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 28-oz. can of crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 c. basil pesto
- 12 oz. uncooked ziti or penne pasta cooked according to package
- 8 c. spinach leaves (7-8 ounces)
- 1 c. shredded mozzarella divided
- 1 c. grated Parmesan divided
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375F.
-
In a large skillet set over medium heat, brown sausage, breaking up with a wooded spoon and turning every few minutes. When sausage is almost cooked, add onion and garlic, continuing to saute until sausage is cooked throughout and onions are translucent. Add crushed tomatoes and simmer about 10 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in pesto.
-
While sauce is cooking, prepare uncooked pasta according to package. Drain and return pasta to pot. Toss with spinach, 1/2 c. mozzarella and 1/3 c. Parmesan. Add half of the sausage-tomato mixture and stir. Add remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella and remaining sausage-tomato mixture.
-
Pour ziti into a large 9x13 inch oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle ziti with remainign 2/3 c. Parmesan cheese.
-
Bake in preheated oven until bubbly and cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately.