Savory casserole featuring ziti pasta, Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a golden cheese topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb ziti pasta
→ Meats
02 - 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
→ Vegetables
03 - 7 oz fresh baby spinach, or thawed frozen spinach squeezed dry
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauce
06 - 24 oz marinara sauce
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Cheeses
11 - 9 oz ricotta cheese
12 - 7 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
14 - 2 tbsp olive oil
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Incorporate fresh or thawed spinach into the skillet. Cook until wilted (fresh) or heated through (frozen), about 2 minutes.
06 - Stir marinara sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes into the sausage and spinach mixture. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, sausage-spinach sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
08 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with the remaining cheeses.
09 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
