Sausage and Spinach Baked Ziti
Sausage and Spinach Baked Ziti is a delicious and comforting dish that combines flavorful Italian sausage, tender spinach, and creamy, gooey cheese. This hearty and satisfying baked pasta dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for entertaining guests. The combination of savory sausage and nutritious spinach makes for a well-rounded and flavorful meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
8 servings
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Step 2
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in ziti and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until they just start to become tender, about 5 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat and cook and stir Italian sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until it is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 4
Reserve 1/3 cup crushed tomatoes and pour remaining tomatoes into sausage. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and spinach. Cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Combine ricotta, heavy cream, 4 ounces cubed mozzarella cheese, 4 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese, and garlic granules in a bowl. Season with salt.
Step 6
Add the cooked sausage mixture and ricotta mixture to the pasta and toss well. If mixture seems too thick, stir in reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time.
Step 7
Spread the reserved 1/3 cup crushed tomatoes into the bottom of the casserole dish. Pour half of pasta in an even layer over tomatoes and top with 1/2 of the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
Step 8
Bake ziti in the preheated oven until cheese is lightly golden brown and pasta is heated through, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
491
Calories
30g
Fat
23g
Carbs
32g
Protein
Complement
The dish is made by combining cooked ziti pasta with a rich and savory tomato sauce, cooked Italian sausage, and fresh spinach. The mixture is then topped with a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese before being baked until bubbly and golden brown. The result is a comforting and indulgent casserole that is perfect for any occasion. Sausage and Spinach Baked Ziti is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a little extra spice or want to add in some extra vegetables. This crowd-pleasing dish is sure to become a new family favorite.