Baked Ziti with spinach and tomatoes

By á-22984

Ingredients

• 3/4 pd sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 28 oz can diced peeled tomatoes
• 1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
• 10 oz ziti freshly cooked
• 8 cups ready to use spinach leaves (about 2/3 of a 10 oz bag)
• 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Heat heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly oil glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkly remaining 2/3 cup parmesan cheese over. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheese melt, about 30 minutes.